Fertilizer

[Alex-v]

I use only organic. too extracts of plants y algae.

[palmman97]

i use atlantic afc palm speical 12-6-8 3 month slow release.

[Moose]

Walt, some of the raw materials we (Scotts) purchase to create the fertilizer rose 800% between 10/1/07 and 9/30/08. Generally, however, the rise was approximately 50% overall. The prices for some commodity components has fallen, but not enough to matter yet. You can buy urea for $250-$350/ton right now, but fertilizer dealers already own a bunch at $800 and they can't expect a price break on inventory they already own. Its an incredibly difficult time in the fertilizer business and some of the players will not survive. Because of that incredible price spike and how the system is "clogged" with expensive material, many are projecting incredible shortages during the spring months. But we'll see. Things might work out OK. BTW, John Deere Landscapes purchased Lesco last year (totally unrelated to the fertilizer price spike). I think they are going to keep the brand, however. How has winter been in Lake Placid so far??

Keith - is the system still "clogged" with expensive material?

Why have fertilzer prices not fallen?

[Tyrone]

Chemical fast release, Chemical slow release, Manures, Seaweed, Fish, organic composts, love.

[sonoranfans]

My answer "none of the above: was because the poll was too simple to give an accurate answer. I use a mix of chemical solid, liquid and organic fertilizer plus macro nutrients and humic acid. For organic I use a manure based mix and milorganite(w/4% Iron). For chemical I use palm food with the traces, and also a little liquid miracle grow. The humic acid/kelp solution is a chelator and helps keep some the minerals around and its also a source of organic nitrogen. Since I am in the first year of soil remediation with composting, I use a healthy amount of humic acid/Kelp, in 3-4 years I will back off that a bit.

Edited October 11, 2010 by sonoranfans

[palmislandRandy]

I really, really tried to use organics & ran into a lot of fungal issues this past summer. I don't know the correlation, but it could be the use of more water to deliver the organics down to the roots. It seemed using organics with fungicides was counterproductive. So it's back to Lesco 8-2-12 for the main course & will add organics periodically as a side dish,

Randy

[visera]

I've had real problems with my palm, stunted growth, chlorosis, etc..

I have done many tests, organic, humic acid, compound fertilizers, have always failed,

My soil is clay and an alkaline pH 7.5 to 8,

Talk to farmers in the medlar and advised me:

Potassium Sulfate 2

Ammonium nitrate 2

Monoammonium phosphate 1

1.5 In the EC water

Everything is improving, bright green color and chlorosis is slowly disappearing

Angel

[Tyrone]

I've had real problems with my palm, stunted growth, chlorosis, etc..

I have done many tests, organic, humic acid, compound fertilizers, have always failed,

My soil is clay and an alkaline pH 7.5 to 8,

Talk to farmers in the medlar and advised me:

Potassium Sulfate 2

Ammonium nitrate 2

Monoammonium phosphate 1

1.5 In the EC water

Everything is improving, bright green color and chlorosis is slowly disappearing

Angel

Your high pH was blocking the uptake of iron mainly. Using those acidifying fertilisers dropped the pH and made the iron available again. As you're on clay it would have taken a while for the pH to shift, but once it's shifted it will tend to keep within bounds longer than would beach sand for example. You would have to continually monitor your pH and would have to use an appropriate amount of acidifying fertiliser to keep it where you need it. Don't be afraid of organics though. They will add life your soil, but with your situation would have done little until your pH was sorted. The molecules and chemistry in organics is exactly the same as in chemical ferts, but the concentration is less and chemical ferts do not have the microbiology your soil needs to function.

Best regards

Tyrone

[_Keith]

I really, really tried to use organics & ran into a lot of fungal issues this past summer. I don't know the correlation, but it could be the use of more water to deliver the organics down to the roots. It seemed using organics with fungicides was counterproductive. So it's back to Lesco 8-2-12 for the main course & will add organics periodically as a side dish,

Randy

What kind of fungal problems were you experiencing?

[iamjv]

Thanks Angel and Tyrone, I think that might be my issue with a couple of palms.... Jv

[palmislandRandy]

I really, really tried to use organics & ran into a lot of fungal issues this past summer. I don't know the correlation, but it could be the use of more water to deliver the organics down to the roots. It seemed using organics with fungicides was counterproductive. So it's back to Lesco 8-2-12 for the main course & will add organics periodically as a side dish,

Randy

What kind of fungal problems were you experiencing?

I was having root issues in a few areas soon after an appIication of the fish emulsion. Although it may be a drainage issue, it only showed up after the fish. I usually mixed it in a 5 gallon bucket & poured some around the base. It may just be a coincedence, as I know others who use it without any problems. I do use seaweed though. I forgot to mention I need to use K-Mag, a potassium/magnesium combination.

Randy

[Bags]

When I started this thread I was using an organic fertilizer and was having a lot of nutrient deficiencies. I have now been using Apex Palm Plus for about a year and a half and there is a dramatic difference in my yard. Everything is greener, growing faster and holding more leaves. I am also using fish emulsion and liquid kelp about once a month while maintaining a layer of mulch. So the organics may be helping as well, but the difference has been the slow release fertilizer.

[palmcurry]

After some good'ol home composting mixed with Kellogs soil, I use a combo of Best Palm Plus and Gro-Power. Can't say enough good things about it. Do it it like every 3-4 months to keep it safe.

Use to use the liquid fert but killed some rare stuff and am now shy.

Want to try that fish emulsion/kelp stuff fo sure,

[Alex-v]

I see that many supplement with algae. I produce my own extracts and one of them is the algae. a seaweed rich in magnesium because soil usually needs more than potassium

Regards.

[trioderob]

this weekend I purchased another 50lb bag of palm plus

its the "cats ass"

[John in Andalucia]

I'm using a soluble seaweed fertilizer, which with regular use in a 1 gallon pump sprayer, occasionally gives off a sulphurous odour! Is this normal? It's 100% dried, organic seaweed from the South China Seas. Unfortunately, I'm no biologist, so I don't know if there's any risk involved with not cleaning out my sprayer. My seedlings seem to love it, and it has worked wonders against fungus gnats. They've totally vanished from my greenhouse. It does say on the label that it helps to fights pests and for the plants, build natural immunity against disease.

[Moose]

this weekend I purchased another 50lb bag of palm plus

its the "cats ass"

Cat manure may not be an appropriate organic fertilizer?

[Alex-v]

John, that smell is normal. is a slight fermentation and with it beneficial bacteria that activate and serve as "sparring" the immune system of the plant.

Regards.

[John in Andalucia]

John, that smell is normal. is a slight fermentation and with it beneficial bacteria that activate and serve as "sparring" the immune system of the plant.

Regards.

Thanks, Alex! That has put my mind at rest. Beneficial too!

[Breadfruit Bill]

Wonder how human urine works? It make my bananas super yummy!

[OB Burt]

Re: the human urine, I know one person who shall remain nameless who claims that a daily dose has caused his Wodetia to be come one of the 1st to seed in San Diego County.

I am doing a controlled experiment myself. Don't recommend doing this in the front yard though.

OB Burt

[Alex-v]

It's a pleasure John.

is sometimes a bit unpleasant smell, especially if you use fermentation as I do, however, the benefits are so numerous that the smell is like a little collateral damage .

I wanted to share my experience with you, I use extracts of various plants, and all share the beneficial bacterial load.

I make foliar aplication in my greenhouse,but for foliar fertilizer I use other plant extracts, not the algae, and this extracts are more empowering for plants.

Edited October 20, 2010 by Alex-v

[phoenixbob]

I recently started using Lutz palm spikes, and it's made a huge difference in our palms.