AusBonsai

Pup wrote:Jamie you have made the comment a couple of times when I have posted a picture of one of my Melaleucas.
( Quote I have to learn to keep them alive!!!.) Could it be the large doses of DL, as I have said I do not recommend or use it on my natives.
It does not work for me in any shape or form on Natives or Azaleas.


Cheers Pup

it could possibly be the ferts i was using at the time, i havent had any mel. spp. for a long time as they would cark it on me, at that time i wasnt using DL, but i was using miracle gro standard not for azalea. so the fert most likely could of been a contributing factor, it could also have been the way i would work on them, i was pretty harsh with root work etc. i think that has a contributing factor in it aswell mate.
i do plan on trying mel. spp. again soon when i find one that has some character or the one i am prepping to dig up.

it could also have a contributing factor that i would try and wire below the horizontal with them, most likely it was all of the above, and all to quivkly. it was before i knew a little something about patience and i think thats why


jamie

Thanks for the info lads. I just started using DL on all my trees, atleast half of which are natives. Havnt had any problems yet tho, probably only had it on for 2 weeks tops. I will stop using it on natives cause im sure you veterans know best. I have noticed some maggots (i think) in the DL - would this be because i have not removed the old DL?

Dynamic Lifter is basically just manure. If you put enough on and keep it wet the flies think its great and lay eggs which hatch into maggots. there are other insects that have white grub larvae occasionally in wet potting mix but I'd guess it would be bush flies breeding in your DL.

Lots of good info re azaleas and Melaleucas not liking DL. Will have to cogitate on possible reasons for this.... Nitrogen??, Ammonia???, Phosphate???, pH??

shibui wrote: Lots of good info re azaleas and Melaleucas not liking DL. Will have to cogitate on possible reasons for this.... Nitrogen??, Ammonia???, Phosphate???, pH??

From What aI can figure from all this discussing, it is the PH that goes and kills azaleas and must happen real fast
With mine this year, within 2 days of putting it on, they all started to droop at the leaves and brown off as if they were not watered.
Then the leaves all fell off and the branches all died back.

the DL version I used is NPK about 10. 10, 10,


Ken

Just an aside on DL: I walk several K everyday and during Spring and thereabouts the smell of DL coming from so many homes is just plain sickening!

having my nose busted so many times playing footy over the years has basically stuffed my sense of smell, so the smell of DL doesnt really bother me, the wife and kids dont like it to much though

and i have a lot of DL on my grow on trees, some up to 4-5cm thick in some pots, and then the fast grow system, but i dont seem to have any problem with it getting fly blown, maybe because i keep it quite moist, but im not sure?


jamie

It only stinks for a few days then the smell goes away. Then you add some more. I use alot!

craigw60 wrote:A couple of alternatives to dl," Campbells organic life" which contains b&b and some seaweed products. Also "nutrog seamungus", both these ferts are organic and contain more than just chicken maure. Both seem to break down at a similar rate to dl
Craig

Saw both Neutrog Seamungus, and Neutrog "Sudden impact" for Roses, today at the shops. could not see any Campbells at all

I got some Neutrog "Sudden impact" for Roses while there to try out. Any suggestioons? I t looks and smells a lot like DL to me?


Ken

craigw60 wrote:I use both the campbells organic life and nutrog sudden impact on my azaleas with great results
Craig

What version Of "Neutrog sudden impact" do you use?

I grabbed the Roses blend.

Ken

I dished out some of the "Neutrog Sudden impact" today around my trees, and it smells just like Dynamic lifter!

is this the right stuff Craig?

If DL is so bad for Azaleas, then why is Neutrog OK ?

Ken

The Neutrog products are a blend of composted chicken manure and composted seaweed, so yes very similar to a DL type product. Wouldnt you know it, I have forgotten the last component, and I won a whole bucket by naming all three after a garden talk by a Neutrog rep.

Greth wrote:The Neutrog products are a blend of composted chicken manure and composted seaweed, so yes very similar to a DL type product. Wouldnt you know it, I have forgotten the last component, and I won a whole bucket by naming all three after a garden talk by a Neutrog rep.

Ok then if chook poo ios so bad for azaleas, then why is the Neutrog variety OK for them?

I dont know that it is, would depend on the pH I think.

The Seamungus is GREAT stuff. Imagine all the benefits of Charlie Carp, Seasol and chicken manure mixed together! It also has a VERY important special ingredient. Humic acid. Want to know how good humic acid is? Ask Brett!

P.S. I have used it on natives. Proteaceae family too. No problems with pH or phosphorus for me. I dont like azalea's so i cant comment on what it does to them, but it sure as hell works on everything else ive tried it on!

Joel

Sorry guys I have been busy in the nursery its the weekend.
I use the sudden impact for roses so yes you got it right Ken. I think the neutrog products are much softer than DL and contain many more trace elements. I think DL is great for trees in the developmental stage but for more mature trees it creates growth that is much too course. The seamungus is a great product but I reckon sudden impact is the best. I used to be able to buy it in 30kg bags but neutrog did some deal with bunnings and it is now only available in small quantities.
For people looking for the campbells organic life try Muir and son a chain of horticultural suppliers they stock it and its much cheaper than neutrog if you need large quantities but not quite as good.
Regards from Craig