AusBonsai

Hi, I am trying to find a high phosphorus fertiliser in a soluble powder or liquid form. Can anyone make any suggestions? All I have com across is "Canna P K 13/14" and Debco's all purpose plant food (which has replaced phostrogen). But I am looking for something that people have used and had experience with.
Thanks,
Luke

Luke308 wrote:Hi, I am trying to find a high phosphorus fertiliser in a soluble powder or liquid form. Can anyone make any suggestions? All I have com across is "Canna P K 13/14" and Debco's all purpose plant food (which has replaced phostrogen). But I am looking for something that people have used and had experience with.
Thanks,
Luke

The State government here is demanding that phosphate be less than in the past. So a lot of them that are coming in are lower in Phosphates.

The one I have used to replace Phostrogen is Yates fruit and flower. It has exactly the same NPK as Phostrogen, and I have found it to be fine with Natives also, at just 4.4 P

Regards Pup

Why do you need a high phosphorus fertilizer? Do you mean something like di-potassium phosphate (K2HPO4) ? Or a pre-mixed one like miracle gro? K2HPO4 would only be useful if blending your own soluble fertiliser solution.

Also phosphorus is expensive.

My experience is that most fertilisers have too much P in them anyway, as they are designed for gardens, where 70 percent of the phosphorus added won't be taken up by the plants, but instead gets fixed onto soil particles. In pots, with inert media, nearly all the P is available. So in effect, we are often over fertilising with P.

Pups right, a low P fert is appropriate for all bonsai.

Paul

In most the bonsai books I have been reading of late (which is heaps now I have access to my clubs library ) Most refer to using a fertiliser with a NPK of 20 30 20. I have never seen something with the P higher than N or K. I use a number of fertilisers on cycle yet, none seem to have much Phosphorus. From what I have been told, Debco had troubles importing Phostrogen regularly, so they made their own fertiliser with the same npk ratings which is called Debco Plant food http://retail.debco.com.au/products/plant-food I haven't used it, hence why I was asking the valuable wealth of knowledge that is Ausbonsai

I was under the impression that phosphorus improves root growth, yet I have just come across a number of articles like this quote ......

No, phosphorus doesn't stimulate root growth

By Robert Cox, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension agent, horticulture

No matter how often you've been told that phosphorus and phosphate fertilizers, stimulate root growth, don't believe it.

Many of us think phosphorus promotes root growth because we're taught to place phosphates in the root zone, below the soil surface where the roots are growing. There's a reason for putting the phosphate there: If we sprinkle phosphates on the soil surface, they don't leach into the soil and they can't be absorbed by the roots.

So, because we're taught to apply phosphates in the root zone, we've concluded they promote root growth. They don't -- not any more than does zinc, magnesium, nitrogen or potassium.

When you start a new lawn, landscape, vegetable or flower garden, prepare the soil well by rototilling in organic materials and phosphate fertilizers. Superphosphate and treble phosphate are much more effective under local soils than is bone meal (calcium phosphate).

So why do so many bonsai books recommend a 20 30 20 fertiliser? Surely I'm missing something. Is it due to being in pots and not in the earth?

I have a trident maple which when the wind blows strong it looks like it is going to blow out of its grow box, so Im looking to improve its root growth/strength. Can you suggest anything?

I have been growing Bonsai for 25plus years. From the start the books I read were from the northern hemisphere. So the first thing I learnt was trees in the north grow different from those in the south.

More so when in pots, when I put my trees in Bonsai soil and the the pot. I tie them in so the wind will not disturb the roots while they repair and re establish, the same should be done if the tree is planted in a grow box /pot.

The fertilizers you read of are not available in Australia. I have used Phostrogen since I started, growing Bonsai.

Remember your condition is South Australia, are not like Surrey in the UK where Peter Chan lives and Peter Adams used to.
Walter Pall lives in Germany, so all the condition vary.

I am happy with the results I get using what is available, the secret to using it, is at Manufacturers recommended dosage and on a regular basis like at least once per fortnight.
When watching gardening shows, and they say gross feeders so you need to use it at least 4 times a year, that is not for Bonsai.

Because we water more regularly, we do need to replace the trace elements, so every 6 months my trees get a dose of complete trace elements.
Which can be bought from good nurseries and hardware stores in powder that is then mixed with water to become soluble and then water the trees.
Cheers Pup

Great answer Pup.

Thanks heaps

Dave

I had only noticed the other day a range of nutrient specific liquid fertalizers in 250ml bottles made by a company called clonex. They are the same company that makes rooting gel. The may have the specific type you are after.

Do a google search for growth technologies

squizz

Ive used the "Native" Focus Liquid Fert from Growth Technology (bought it from the big green shed), seems to work fine.

Thanks, especially to Pup

Pup, You might find this of interest http://retail.debco.com.au/node/265
I will make sure I secure my trees in pots/boxes in future.
Thanks again
Luke