How do I fertilise when developing branches

[Paulneill]

How do I go about fertilising my trees that will be hard pruned potted up and ready to start branch development I know It's recommended to use high nitrogen at the start of spring
.but I was thinking of using low nitrogen fertiliser to try and keep nodes short and more control over growth what do you suggest . I was thinking of using stuff bought from bonsai south nusery called bonsai compact it a low nitrogen fertiliser .

[Gerard]

Hi Paul,

I am not familiar with this product.
Pinching and defoliation are very effective when trying to achieve compact growth.
The only time I use low nitrogen fertilizer is when I want flowers, then I look for high potassium (K)
but I am interested to hear peoples ideas about low nitrogen fertilizers.

[Scott Roxburgh]

I use a form of fertiliser cakes:

1 part Cottonseed or soy bean meal; and
1 part Meat meal (I used to use Blood and Bone but have since changed, but Meat meal can be hard to find);

I spoon this into disposable tea bags and put it out as required (as much as I can fit onto the soil surface mostly)

I mix up according to the instructions and use charlie carp and seasol every two weeks. When I think I haven't done it in a while I use Miracle Gro/Nitrosol (once a month-ish). I also put a fair bit of Osmocote on the soil surface (thanks Grant) and sometimes in my soil mix (inorganic).

I find that using a lot of fertiliser works really well for me, with my trees, in my area and in my mix.

[astroboy76]

Leong at Bonsai south produces his own low nitrogen fert. one cap full in 10 litres of water every two weeks all year around. its what he uses on all of his trees. i have been using it for a while now with great results. helps wel with fruiting and flowering trees especially