Winter, but grow light; Reduce Fertilizer?

[sciguy1872]

Hi. I live in Missouri, USA, and Winter is approachinghing. I was told to reduce the Super-thrive fertilizer during Winter, but now that I have grow lights bought from Amazon, do I still need to reduce? The tree is still getting the same length of light-time, and therefore, metabolism should not be different. For a non-stress fertilizer, I have Professional Bonsai Fertilizer (3-1-2 ratio), where I mix 0.5tsp and 2 cups of water so that the fertilizer does not last too long before it is all used. The directions on the fertilizer bottle state to add 2 tsp. to 8 cups of water. Thanks for your help.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

What kind of trees? Ficus? You can keep up fertilizer if you have enough light and the trees are healthy.

 

[sciguy1872]

Hi. Thanks for your answer--yes, the bonsai is a Ficus microcarpa. Thanks again for your answer--no concerns now.

 

[rockm]

Skip the Superthrive. It's not fertilizer. It's a hormone/vitamin based "growth stimulant." It does not contain Nitrogen, Potassium of Phosphorous (NPK) as true fertilizers do. It's also useless (wild odd unsupported claims on the label notwithstanding). There is evidence that if it's applied in too much quantity, it can actually slow trees down. Used to be a fad in bonsai and is still sold by many suppliers. Most experienced bonsai growers give it the side-eye...

Your ficus won't need much fertilizer this winter, one dose a month should be fine. Frankly I'd use simple Miracle Grow and not the low dose stuff you've got. Low dose doesn't really do much for a developing tree. You're likely paying a premium for the "professional bonsai" on the label. Professional bonsai folks aren't using that stuff... Organics and low N ferts are used for more mature trees that have been developed. Using faster acting ferts on older trees speeds them up and tends to ruin ramification and leaf size.

 

[Paradox]

Hi. I live in Missouri, USA, and Winter is approachinghing. I was told to reduce the Super-thrive fertilizer during Winter, but now that I have grow lights bought from Amazon, do I still need to reduce? The tree is still getting the same length of light-time, and therefore, metabolism should not be different. For a non-stress fertilizer, I have Professional Bonsai Fertilizer (3-1-2 ratio), where I mix 0.5tsp and 2 cups of water so that the fertilizer does not last too long before it is all used. The directions on the fertilizer bottle state to add 2 tsp. to 8 cups of water. Thanks for your help.

I keep Brazilian Rain trees and ficus inside in the winter. I use regular miracle grow power at half strength once a month during the winter

 

[sciguy1872]

Hi, Rockm. I read on Google about the Superthrive being hormone/vitamin stimulant being good if the tree is stressed--I was planning on using the stuff only when repotting.
I think my tree is well-developed. I bought the tree from Amazon, and I received a well-cared-for tree. I think it's about 17yo. After receiving the bonsai, I cut off a major branch, applied cut paste, and then trimmed it into the shape that I wanted. Since the tree is developed, why do away with low dose fert?
Why should I change low dose fertilizer amount for Winter--the plant still receives the same amount of light, so metabolism rates should still be same. Why change to different kind of fertilizer if what I have is low-dose and is good for a developed tree?

 

[rockm]

Hi, Rockm. I read on Google about the Superthrive being hormone/vitamin stimulant being good if the tree is stressed--I was planning on using the stuff only when repotting.
I think my tree is well-developed. I bought the tree from Amazon, and I received a well-cared-for tree. I think it's about 17yo. After receiving the bonsai, I cut off a major branch, applied cut paste, and then trimmed it into the shape that I wanted. Since the tree is developed, why do away with low dose fert?
Why should I change low dose fertilizer amount for Winter--the plant still receives the same amount of light, so metabolism rates should still be same. Why change to different kind of fertilizer if what I have is low-dose and is good for a developed tree?View attachment 612642

Ok so no Superthrives effectiveness is not proven. There’s a lot of hype. The claims made on its label aren’t backed up by the manufacturer at least ln any easily obtained form for the Avery’s consumer.

Google will tell you a lot of silly BS. Don’t ask Google if super thrive is effective. The AI will pick up the hype not the real issue. Look up the effectiveness of adding Vitamni B1 supplements to plants soil, by mist etc. the answer is hardly clear. Some of it shows B1 is made by the plant anyway and adding extra doesn’t do anything

I used it for years. Stopped using and didn’t see ANY difference in new roots plant health etc. what happens with superthrive mostly is beginners lean on it at first. Then they get better at growing their trees over time and think Suoerthrive has something to do with it.

And your tree is ok but it could use more extensive organized branching and new growth.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I like the way Superthrive smells. Aside from thar I haven't used it in years. I saw no positive impact when I used it, and no negative impact when I stopped.

 

[sciguy1872]

Hey rockm. To get the tree to provide the new growth that you mentioned, I guess I need another kind of fertilizer, rather than the 3-1-2 ratio of Professional Bonsai that I use. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[leatherback]

-the plant still receives the same amount of light, so metabolism rates should still be same.

ehm.. not sure what you have there as grow lights, but I doubt this gives the sort of light that sunlight provides.
Looking at the tree I do think it is healthy, but it certainly is not thriving and pushing with vitality, as it shoudl at the end of summer.

Fertilizer is really only needed if the plant is actively growing. Ficus growth in winter slows down because of low temperatures, short days and reduced light.
This is normal. Also in the tropics there is distinct strong and weaker growth phases dure to annual cycles. So hold of on fertilizing a bit in winter unless in a clear state of growth

 

[leatherback]

 

[rockm]

Hey rockm. To get the tree to provide the new growth that you mentioned, I guess I need another kind of fertilizer, rather than the 3-1-2 ratio of Professional Bonsai that I use. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Regular old miracle grow all purpose is fine, as is any other balanced commercial fertilizer. The amount you use depends on growing seasons and plant activity. Since you're in Missouri, you're headed into fall and the tree will be inside for a while beginning in probably late October/early Nov. You can probably use it for a couple of weeks into Sept. Then once inside back off and fertilize once a month or so.

I use it full strength once a week in springtime when trees are actively growing. I back off a bit as the heat of summer arrives and plants slow down. I cease any fertilization in late September or a little sooner.

 

[Paradox]

I bring my trees in around Oct 15th. I do see a slow down of growth in the winter, usually in January and February. Growth starts to ramp back up in March. I normally have to trim them before once or twice I put them back outside end of May.

 

[sciguy1872]

Thanks all. The grow lights--Pretty good grow lights, I think

 

[sciguy1872]

Hi. I think I'm going to either use the 3-1-2 of Bonsai Pro or the 7-9-5 of Superthrive at half-strength with watering/fertilizing only every other day (it did well last Winter, and reducing strength was suggested by another). For Spring, I'm thinking of using regular Miracle Grow, but am expecting the fertilizer to make the tree go into overdrive growth; maybe some new limbs and me trimming to keep the bonsai in a nice triangle from all sides will be good, if that's indeed what will happen. I think MG has a high N-P-K ratio all around. Thoughts?