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This page is provided as a service to all professional growers. If you have a question about plant or crop nutrition you are invited to post it on this page via the form opposite. Our technical team, led by Dennis Wilson, will provide what they consider to be the best solution to your problem.
Once the question and answer is posted on the page, you may have additional or alternative suggestions – and we’d be happy to hear from you and we’ll publish all responses.
Q. What should I feed to promote growth and flowering in hanging baskets and trailing plants - surfinia etc.
A. Many thanks for your question. Lets start with the trailing plants first, you have picked on Surfinia as an example so I will base the recommendations around it and other fast growing trailing plants. The easiest way to feed fast growing trailing species is by using a controlled release fertiliser such as Polyon. These vigourous species can take virtually all the feed you can give them and still be hungry!
The best way to start is with a balanced analysis such as 15-15-15 +Trace Elements, with a 5-6 month longevity, at a rate of 2.5Kg per Cubic metre of compost. Many people prefer a more nitrogen biased analysis but I feel it promotes too much head and when planting into a basket it becomes awkward and there is then risk of damage to the plant. After a few weeks you may need to suppliment this with liquid feed if the plants are in pots for a long time and I recommend a balanced potassium/nitrogen analysis like a 21-7-21+ Te at a rate of 0.75g/l, 3-4 times per week.
On commencment of flowering liquid feeds will need to be used to promote the production and strength of colour in the flowers, and stengthen the plant to support this. I recommend a higher potassium analysis such as 15-7-30+Te at a rate of 0.75g/l fed 4-5 times per week depending on number of waterings. This will then run until plant is sold.
For planting in baskets I recommend a controlled release again but this time with a higher Poatassium analysis. Polyon basket blend has an analysis of 14-8-20+Trace elements with a longevity 5-6 months. This higher K analysis is given so that when the basket passes on to the customer in flower the balance of nutrients will be ideal. Incorporate into compost at 2.5 -3.0 kg per Cubic metre depending on which species you choose. Then from planting to flowering boost feed with the 21-7-21+Te 2-3 times per week at 0.5g/l to build your canopy and framework. Once flowering starts you may need to suppliment the CRF with 15-7-30+Te liquid feed once or twice per week but it should be sufficient to maintain the basket through sale and with the customer.
If planting vigourous species it may be advisable to recommend liquid feeding to your customers as the basket matures and beomes filled with roots and demand on the CRF beomes too great. At this time feeding at 0.5g/litre will need to be done every watering with a high K analysis.
Q. I would like to make my nursery organic. What’s the best replacement for Osmocote 12 – 14 month CRF in my stock compost.
A. There are no organic fertilisers on the market which will replace a controlled release fertiliser. Organic products work by decomposition and then mineralisation which, although slower than conventional inorganic fertilisers, do not last 12 months.
The best way to go organic is to switch to an organic fertiliser (proprietory or your own mix) and then use top dressings or liquid fertilisers to sustain feeding. You will need to check with regulatory bodies (ie Soil Association) before using any fertiliser because the rules are very strict.
We can help with a number of products: WULGROW is an organic base fertiliser produced from organic chicken manure and wool. It is a low odour pellet with an analysis of 5 – 2 5+TE and can be used as a base or top dressing. NUGRO is a liquid fertiliser made from fish blood and bones with certified inputs. Available analyses include 8 – 8 – 7, 6 – 1 –3, 5 – 2 – 5 and 4 – 2 – 8. The 8 – 8 – 7 is particularly suitable for trees and shrubs.
Q. I am a bedding plant grower using Bulrush low nutrient bedding mix. Can I use a feed at the very start of production and carry it right through. At the moment we feed when foliage indicates but this isn’t always apparent to seasonal staff.
A. To get the best results you need to use two analyses. Start production with a balanced Nitrogen/Potassium feed – 21 – 7 – 21 (3 -1 – 3)+TE to build a strong, healthy plant. Once flower has started (or if want to initiate flower) change to 15 – 7 – 30 (2 – 1 – 4)+TE to slow leaf growth, help harden plants improve flower formation and colour and extend shelf life.
Both these analyses are available as soluble fertilisers from Hortifeeds. However, to improve performance still further we can match the mix to suit your water supply - to compensate for hardness or softness and ensure that all nutrients reach the plants.
If you feed all the time, you should adjust your dilator to 0.25% to give a dilution rate of 400:1.
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