Osmocote Users - Fall Application

[Apex37]

For those that use Osmocote - When do you apply for fall/end of season growth? Do you apply it at all after summer?

This is my first year utilizing it and trying to get an idea of when/if I should apply. Trying to wait till temps start consistently coming down, but also don’t want to apply too late where it is still driving strong growth into leaf drop/first frost.

I feel like I should have applied 3 times (early spring, late spring, and then late summer) total, but opted to be safe and only have applied it once around mid-March.

 

[scottschecter]

For those that use Osmocote - When do you apply for fall/end of season growth? Do you apply it at all after summer?

This is my first year utilizing it and trying to get an idea of when/if I should apply. Trying to wait till temps start consistently coming down, but also don’t want to apply too late where it is still driving strong growth into leaf drop/first frost.

I feel like I should have applied 3 times (early spring, late spring, and then late summer) total, but opted to be safe and only have applied it once around mid-March.

I follow Peter Tea's instructions and have seen good results.

Fertilizer to Use
Osmocote Plus 15-9-12, 6 months slow release is the product I recommend using. I like this product because it also contains micronutrients that your Bonsai need that other fertilizers tend not to have. This is a slow release chemical fertilizer.

How Much Fertilizer to Use
1 to 1 and 1/2 Tablespoon per 10" x 10" of soil surface.

When to Apply

Japanese Black/Red Pines
March 1
August 1

High Mountain Pines
September 1

Deciduous
May 1
August 1

All Others Bonsai including Broad Leaf Evergreen
March 1
June 1
September 1

 

[Apex37]

I follow Peter Tea's instructions and have seen good results.

Thanks! I hadn’t seen this before.

 

[scottschecter]

Thanks! I hadn’t seen this before.

Most welcome.

 

[Glaucus]

The point of osmocote is to mix it with your potting soil. And to pick the version with the release rate that matches how long those plants will stay in their pots.
With the idea to add the product now, but to get the fertilizer to release months down the road. If you need fertilizer now, then you should use an organic or chemical fertilizer that is not just slow/controlled release.
But yes, if it is still so hot that your main goal is to keep them cool and watered, and growth has slowed down because of the heat, you can wait.

You can sprinkle them on top of the soil. But they actually have a specific product for that. I think it glues to the surface so the pellets don't get washed out/fall out/roll out.
Do you have the commercial grade product? The industry grade version has clear instructions on dosage, as listed on their website.

I guess it makes sense to add a 6 month release product in early spring. That way, you get controlled release throughout the growing season. The hotter it gets (and to some respect wetter) the more release you get.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

For those that use Osmocote - When do you apply for fall/end of season growth? Do you apply it at all after summer?

Yes. Have used it for five years. Took three to dial it in for our trees. Use Osmocote Plus two month pellets. But only 3/4 strength during the summers. In Dallas might want to go lower or skip with all the over 100 degree days you are getting lately .

All the rest 2-3x year of the trees depending upon type (azaleas) and my time.
Warning. Be careful with fine rooted bonsai like azalea. Limit use to something like 12-16 prills to a 7” pot. Also fertilize with half doses of liquid fertilizer supplemented with humic acid and cold pressed kelp.

This is my first year utilizing it and trying to get an idea of when/if I should apply. Trying to wait till temps start consistently coming down, but also don’t want to apply too late where it is still driving strong growth into leaf drop/first frost.

Really like the Peter tea routine, Very similar to our schedule except maybe for quantities

.I feel like I should have applied 3 times (early spring, late spring, and then late summer) total, but opted to be safe and only have applied it once around mid-March.

Likely. But we all need time to dial in.

Cheers
DSD sends