AusBonsai

We all know that fertilising our trees will keep them healthy and in tip top condition, and I also know this but for me remembering to use my liquid fertilisers is the biggest challenge of all. I have worked out all the measurements and schedule but when it comes to actually doing it I fall down. I think it is because it takes me so much longer to fertilise than just to water with the hose.

So I am intrigued by slow release fertiliser! I have used osmocote for years and tend to use the pots & planters type for 'normal' trees and then the azalea one for my conifers, natives and azaleas and havent found it to be a problem.

I ask about Dynamic lifter because it is considered a slow release organic fertiliser and reminds me of the fertiliser cakes we all see on the Japanese trees. I was wondering what everyones experience is with dynamic lifter and the safety for all trees. It says that it can cause the soil to become alkaline but conifers and natives prefer acid. Is this something to worry about or is it fine given the amount of watering we do?

Also how much dynamic lifter would you use, the Japanese cakes often cover the soil but again I am hesitant to do this....

Any advice or tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks everyone!
BonsaiBoy87

I used to mix little dynamic lifer into the soil of my exotics, it seemed to work well. These days I use osmocote and liquid fertilisers. I never tried it on natives as I was worried about the phosphorous causing problems.

I would put a little on top back then in the growing season, several pellets over a pot about 150mm diameter. I found they last quite a will sitting on top. However I think I get better results with liquid fertiliser and osmocote.

I could not do it now as my wife would complain about the smell. It does not bother me but I know plenty of people who fine it an offensive smell so don't forget about that if you are putting dynamic lifter on top of your soil. I stopped mixing it in the soil because I found it impeded drainage.

I use it on mine along with a Liquid every week or so

Sprinkle a few on everything and all seems fine except for azaleas which I am finding i am losing a few, but Dunno why
seems that they are turning up their toes after applying DL.
I suspect this is only coincidence tho as when I pull the trees from the pot they have no new roots 2 months after a repot and the Fert just highlight another problem with them

ps I am using the DL fro Roses blend and al;l my other trees including natives seem to have no issues with it

Ken

As you raise the salt level of your soil with fertilizers, whether organic or inorganic, you will see detrimental effects on cuttings, newly repotted trees, many native trees, and newly rooted materials.
Just my opinion.
Jerry

An American fella by the name of John kirby taught this rule of thumb.

Deciduous prefer chemical ferts

Conifer's and broad leaf Evergreen's prefer organic ferts.

I start in spring slowly easing into my fert regime with this theory in mind but by summer i have mixed everything on everything with a vengance!

you pal need to stick to your programme, no slacking off mate!

kcpoole wrote:I use it on mine along with a Liquid every week or so

Sprinkle a few on everything and all seems fine except for azaleas which I am finding i am losing a few, but Dunno why
seems that they are turning up their toes after applying DL.
I suspect this is only coincidence tho as when I pull the trees from the pot they have no new roots 2 months after a repot and the Fert just highlight another problem with them

ps I am using the DL fro Roses blend and al;l my other trees including natives seem to have no issues with it

Ken

Hi kc, to quote Australia's leading grower of Azaleas GeorgeTaylor "never ever fertilize Azaleas with poultry manure" Cheers Alpineart

Interesting point alpine. Any particular reason why not? Ph???:D

Personally I have always had great results with dynamic lifter although because of the smell I get complaints from family members and often revert to osmocote. I think it is pretty difficult to burn your trees with this stuff as it is, as you say slow release. Well so far, there is nothing I have said that is new news but, I can tell you that , when I go up to Lee Wilson's Bonsai Artistree Nursery in Belrose NSW, not only does he cover the entire topsoil with DL but (b) piles it on so it is about 3 cm's high. (C) he also premixes his soil to include gravel and DL . Anyone who knows Lee Wilson knows that he is a very knowledgable AND top bloke. He runs lectures around Australia. He does'nt seem to have a problem with this system and I know he swears by DL. I hope this is worth something to you.

JOhn

I have read/heard that prolonged application of DL will raise the pH of the soil (i.e. make it more alkaline). I think Pup has mentioned it in a previous post and I have heard it from someone else also. It may be part of the reason for the failing azalea. I don't know exactly why it happens but it is likely due to an accumulation of salts as mentioned by Jerry.

I have not heard of this before Pasquale. But, I will definitely go out today and use the PH meter and have a look. Could'nt do any harm. Thanks for the info mate.

Regards


John

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

Slightly off topic, but back to the reason you went to pellets - I had the same problem in trying to liquid fertilise by watering can. I now have one of thos in-line fertilisers that plug on to your hose. every couple of weeks I try to remeber to use this and do a normal watering, but with fertiliser.

AG

pasquale wrote:I have read/heard that prolonged application of DL will raise the pH of the soil (i.e. make it more alkaline). I think Pup has mentioned it in a previous post and I have heard it from someone else also. It may be part of the reason for the failing azalea. I don't know exactly why it happens but it is likely due to an accumulation of salts as mentioned by Jerry.

Maybe so, but I doubt it will have much affect on trees newly repotted into fresh soil. ( some in Kanuma, my diatomite Mix, and Ray Nesci Soil)

In my cases, the trees were root pruned and repotted after flowering. No fert given ( only Seasol) for 2 months, and once they had started to show new growth then apply DL as well as Charlie carp as per my normal regimen.
Within a day they had all wilted and started to die off
After 2 months, I removed from the pots and none had shown signs of new root growth.

Jerry do you have any more info?

ken

just throwing a spanner in the works, how about the fast grow system as described by graeme? i have had two ficus, one nerifolia, the other benji in basically pure DL, B and B, and some gravel. it got to a stage the other week where i topped up the DL, i have had no ill effects to either tree, actually the benji is booming, the nerifolia seemd a little slow to react but has started powering on now!

these two strees both got a root prune, completly bare rooted, planted into the mix of DL etc. and seems quite happy in the mix. they are ficus though, so this could be something to do with it, i havent seen one killed yet due to anything

jamie

DL on Azaleas definately a killer.
Dont have technical and scientific knowledge of why but it happened too many times to ignore. On one occaision they were placed under the bench which my figs were on and when I put DL on the figs the run off water went to Azaleas, result = strong Ficus but 30% Azaleas dead.