Fertilize at the dripline...really?

[newtothis]

I just bought some 12.4.12. All my palms are small, but some are to the point where the dripline is over other accent plants. For these I just made a fertilizer ring a few inches out from the trunk. What about when the crown gets huge?

[Turtile]

It isn't true that new root growth is at the dripline. Some trees may have root will passed the dripline while others will be closer to the trunk. There is also no need to spread the fertilizer out. Roots can take up nutrients easier if the nutrients are in high concentrations. New growth will also concentrate in these regions.

[Tyrone]

A lot of advice for fertiliser applies to dicot's (normal tree) etc, whereas palms are monocots. Palms have fibrous roots that will form a mat under the crown. The feeder roots will be close to the surface all the way around the base, even way past the dripline. I put my fert right at the base, because that's where I water them, but you could broadcast the fert evenly under the palm and get excellent results.

The reason they say put it at the dripline is most trees direct rain off the leaves and this rain falls of course at the dripline. Palms tend to direct rain back to the base I find, although they do also send it to the dripline too. Basically you want your fert where you irrigate them from, as no plant can take up undissolved fert.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Tyrone]

Roots can take up nutrients easier if the nutrients are in high concentrations.

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. High concentrations of fert salts in one area can cause reverse osmosis in the plant actually sucking water and nutrients out of the plant, causing leaf burns, burnt root tips and possible death of the plant. An even gentle appllication of fert is more beneficial as it doesn't disrupt the roots function and allows the plant to grow at an optimum. That's the theory behind slow release ferts. It removes that feast and famine scenario that you get with fast release ferts.

Best regards

Tyrone

[Turtile]

Roots can take up nutrients easier if the nutrients are in high concentrations.

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. High concentrations of fert salts in one area can cause reverse osmosis in the plant actually sucking water and nutrients out of the plant, causing leaf burns, burnt root tips and possible death of the plant. An even gentle appllication of fert is more beneficial as it doesn't disrupt the roots function and allows the plant to grow at an optimum. That's the theory behind slow release ferts. It removes that feast and famine scenario that you get with fast release ferts.

Best regards

Tyrone

That would only happen if you apply too much fertilizer in one spot (I didn't mean to sound like I was suggesting to pile it in one spot but a half - to handful tosses around the plant.). Spreading out the recommended fertilizer rate evenly isn't needed and will prevent uptake of nutrients that are immmobile in the soil such as phosphorus and calcium. Slow release is mainly used for highly mobile nutrients such as Nitrogen which will leach right through the soil.

Like you, I always apply small amounts constantly since it is much more efficient.

[Tyrone]

Roots can take up nutrients easier if the nutrients are in high concentrations.

I have to respectfully disagree with you there. High concentrations of fert salts in one area can cause reverse osmosis in the plant actually sucking water and nutrients out of the plant, causing leaf burns, burnt root tips and possible death of the plant. An even gentle appllication of fert is more beneficial as it doesn't disrupt the roots function and allows the plant to grow at an optimum. That's the theory behind slow release ferts. It removes that feast and famine scenario that you get with fast release ferts.

Best regards

Tyrone

That would only happen if you apply too much fertilizer in one spot (I didn't mean to sound like I was suggesting to pile it in one spot but a half - to handful tosses around the plant.). Spreading out the recommended fertilizer rate evenly isn't needed and will prevent uptake of nutrients that are immmobile in the soil such as phosphorus and calcium. Slow release is mainly used for highly mobile nutrients such as Nitrogen which will leach right through the soil.

Like you, I always apply small amounts constantly since it is much more efficient.

I didn't mean to sound picky. I misunderstood what you wrote. I didn't want others who may not have much experience to pile on globs of fast release fert onto their seedlings and watch them die. Believe me I've done that, and it's depressing.

In our soils phosphorus is very mobile. It's non existent in our natural soils, and it leaches away like mad. It's a big problem with our waterways with blue green algal blooms due to over fertilising with superphosphate in the wheat belt.

Best regards

Tyrone