AusBonsai

Gday gang,
One of my greatest weaknesses in Bonsai is Fertilisation. It's simply something I forget to do and I'm sure I'm setting myself back years of growth by my lack of a good feeding regime. I thought to myself that a good start would be to buy a big bag of chook manure pellets.

So my question is: Are there any tree species that you would advise against putting a layer of pellets on the soil of? Anything I should be cautious about when using this type of fertiliser?

Thanks

Keep it away from rhododendrons, azaleas and camelias

This thread deals with this issue..
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=757
As Gerard implied, DL can contribute to soil alkalinity which some natives (and other acid-lovers) won't find appealing as they prefer an acidic (pH=<7) substrate.

Thanks a lot Bonscythe and Gerard... I dont have any acid lovers in my collection of stumps so I will give it a go and see what happens.

hi mate

I use pellets on a lot of my trees, especially those that are growing on, figs love the stuff. if you are worried about it getting sludgy on your pots and blocking the mix up you can get fert baskets that work well, or a cheap alternative that works very well is to get your missus's old stockings, put the pellets or slow release into them, tie em up and put them on the soil, they can be washed out and refilled with out a drama

putting slow release like osmocote or similar in when repotting never hurts either, I do that in knowing that if I do forget a feed for them they are still getting something

jamie

Hi Webos
I used to use dynamic lifter, but was advised of the Acidity problem. It was suggested to use "Neutrog "Sudden Impact"" instead
It i s a Chook Poo derivative that supposedly is good for Azaleas and Rhodies.

Last year I started to use it and so far have had none cark it .

Just a light sprinkle on all my trees so far and looks OK

It lasts for about 4- 6 weeks before needing reapplying

Ken

hey webos, i use neutrog's seamungus its abit of an all rounder and there only product they recommend for natives. also use the sudden impact that ken spoke of on roses at work and they love the stuff

Ken
where do you get this from? I dont recall seeing it anywhere.