AusBonsai

Glenda wrote:

bonsai_Dan wrote:Hi all.

A little off this topic sorry but what does it mean when you say 16N - 0.5P - 20K + Trace Elements? I'm just new to bonsai and new to gardening in general so a little lost there. I've just potted my bonsai seedling into bonsai potting mix about 2 weeks ago, so would i really need to start using these feed agents or would i be over feeding my little guy?

Cheers Dan

Hi Dan,

The three macronutrients (= most needed) plants require are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). These three are the most important, as they only need very small amounts of elements like calcium, sulphur, iron etc, called micronutrients or trace elements. The numbers that come after the letters are the amount of that particular element.

Glenda

Hi Glenda,

Calcium and sulphur are actually macronutrients, as is magnesium. Technically so are hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, but these 3 come from air. The S, Mg and Ca are often not recognized as macronutrients because they are hardly ever lacking in natural soils in the ground, and deficiencies are usually cured by adjusting the pH, not adding these elements. But in an inorganic mix and some other potting mixes, these may be deficient.

It is important to have trace elements. A deficiency in any macro or micro element will affect the health of the plant. Every one is needed in some amount.

Joel

archie1979 wrote:You could try Dynamic lifter for roses with a P value of only 4%

Archie

Hi Archie,
Not too sure that Dynamic Lifter products would be the best for this situation, as it has been said often on this forum and others that -
a) most natives prefer an acidic soil (pH <7)
b) dynamic lifter seems to promote alkaline soil (pH >7)

I would stick with Pup and other's advice to use a low P & low pH fert. regime.

Joel wrote:

Glenda wrote:

bonsai_Dan wrote:Hi all.

A little off this topic sorry but what does it mean when you say 16N - 0.5P - 20K + Trace Elements? I'm just new to bonsai and new to gardening in general so a little lost there. I've just potted my bonsai seedling into bonsai potting mix about 2 weeks ago, so would i really need to start using these feed agents or would i be over feeding my little guy?

Cheers Dan

Hi Dan,

The three macronutrients (= most needed) plants require are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). These three are the most important, as they only need very small amounts of elements like calcium, sulphur, iron etc, called micronutrients or trace elements. The numbers that come after the letters are the amount of that particular element.

Glenda

Hi Glenda,

Calcium and sulphur are actually macronutrients, as is magnesium. Technically so are hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, but these 3 come from air. The S, Mg and Ca are often not recognized as macronutrients because they are hardly ever lacking in natural soils in the ground, and deficiencies are usually cured by adjusting the pH, not adding these elements. But in an inorganic mix and some other potting mixes, these may be deficient.

It is important to have trace elements. A deficiency in any macro or micro element will affect the health of the plant. Every one is needed in some amount.

Joel

As bonscythe pointed out to me, i made a mistake in the above post. Hydrogen comes from water, not the air

Joel

G,day Taffy I have used Phostrogen for my trees since I started Bonsai. It has a phosphate level of 4.4. On all the proteaceae, that I grow never had a problem.

Thanks Pup. That's interesting - and good information as well.