Trace Element Application

[lacertilian]

Hi,
Just wondering if everyone here uses Trace Elements on their trees? I have not used any before but it seems like a good bi-annual thing to do. Anybody got experience (good/bad) with applying the soluble trace element powder to your bonsai?
Cheers

[Damian Bee]

It's not a bad thing to do mate, as long as you don't overdo it. Most fertilisers now have trace elements and micronutrients included in them along with the more common NPK content. Some brands of fertilisers are even genus specific in their make up. If you have the time it is worth running a small test over a year with two of the same plant to get a better idea of what works for you.

[Joel]

As mentioned, if you are using a good complete fertiliser it should already contain everything you need. As there is no benefit adding these to a mix unless there is a specific deficiency apart from the macro spectrum, adding them routinely is pointless. In many years of horticulture, I've only ever seen micro nutrient deficiencies in sand based soils that have undergone many many years of cultivation without any fertilisers being added.

So like most things, they are useful for treating a certain thing (deficiencies) but offer no use outside of that.

Joel