Miracle Grow. And how it's used by me.

[Paradox]

Reviving a dead thread.

Is this fine on potted Japanese maples? Walter Pall says he uses it on all his trees using 3-4 times the suggested dose.

It's a waste of fertilizer IMO. Just feed at the suggested mixture every 2 weeks if you want rather than once a month. The tree will only uptake and use what it needs. The rest will go out the drain holes.

However beware that with maples, it can cause rapid growth with long internodes so if your tree is in the refinement stage of bonsai development, this is opposite of what you want. For those trees we withhold fertilizer in the spring until leaves harden off then feed at a more moderate level.

 

[turnyface]

It's a waste of fertilizer IMO. Just feed at the suggested mixture every 2 weeks if you want rather than once a month. The tree will only uptake and use what it needs. The rest will go out the drain holes.

However beware that with maples, it can cause rapid growth with long internodes so if your tree is in the refinement stage of bonsai development, this is opposite of what you want. For those trees we withhold fertilizer in the spring until leaves harden off then feed at a more moderate level.

Thanks. My JMs are all grafted bonsai mother trees, so trying to push growth for some nice air layers down the road.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Understand. Each growing out practice can be a double edge sword for maples and depends upon one’s vision for the use and time to develop of bonsai from the air layers.

On one hand, strong fertilization causes a tree to gets rapid lanky growth. On the other had one ends up with an air layer with a long lanky growth pattern that needs to be slowed dow, which takes time.

Less fertilization causes the mother tree to have much shorter internodes, but takes more time to grow out… goiving more effect to measures to craft the tree while growing out. On the flip side, one doesn’t have to spend much time at all slowing the air layer down. In some cases, I’ve seen air layers come off of trees that go right into the initial stage of refinement…

Best
DSD sends

 

[turnyface]

Understand. Each growing out practice can be a double edge sword for maples and depends upon one’s vision for the use and time to develop of bonsai from the air layers.

On one hand, strong fertilization causes a tree to gets rapid lanky growth. On the other had one ends up with an air layer with a long lanky growth pattern that needs to be slowed dow, which takes time.

Less fertilization causes the mother tree to have much shorter internodes, but takes more time to grow out… goiving more effect to measures to craft the tree while growing out. On the flip side, one doesn’t have to spend much time at all slowing the air layer down. In some cases, I’ve seen air layers come off of trees that go right into the initial stage of refinement…

Best
DSD sends

What’s a “better” way to fertilize? Throw on some Osmocite or holly tone and let it release slowly until fall?

 

[MGTT]

I can’t find the thread I read it in, but someone commented that you shouldn’t use miracle grow in a galvanized steel water can.
I ‘tested’ it, and can confirm the advice is accurate!
I switched to a plastic can for fertilizing, but the damage was already done.

 

[rustygarden]

I can’t find the thread I read it in, but someone commented that you shouldn’t use miracle grow in a galvanized steel water can.
I ‘tested’ it, and can confirm the advice is accurate!
I switched to a plastic can for fertilizing, but the damage was already done.
View attachment 563585

My Haws watering cans are fine and are approximately 25 years old

 

[MGTT]

My Haws watering cans are fine and are approximately 25 years old

Are they copper?

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I can’t find the thread I read it in, but someone commented that you shouldn’t use miracle grow in a galvanized steel water can.
I ‘tested’ it, and can confirm the advice is accurate!
I switched to a plastic can for fertilizing, but the damage was already done.
View attachment 563585

My galvanized steel can did that this summer after having it only two years, (in MI I only count that as one year of use) only plastic, and copper for me now. Best part I was fertilizing with fish emulsion when it started leaking and went all over my shoe until I noticed the wetness.

I've also killed a Dawn Redwood with MG overdose so, this thread is making my head spin.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

What’s a “better” way to fertilize? Throw on some Osmocite or holly tone and let it release slowly until fall?

Hmm… not sure I understand your question.

I mentioned the trade offs involved with different fertilization techniques.

The best way to fertilize ones trees is determined by the hobbyist, based upon their experience with their own collection. Short of this, it’s best to get someone who is familiar with the type of trees in the collection help get things started….

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[pandacular]

The best way to fertilize ones trees is determined by the hobbyist, based upon their experience with their own collection.

Not only this, but I get the impression from many pros I’ve worked with that the best way is particular to a tree, season, container, etc. It’s enough to make your head spin.

Chances are that if you’re a beginner like me, you’re best off just fertilizing regularly with a consistent dose and taking notes. The trade-offs that DSD mentions become more critical as a tree comes into its own in maturity in design. Hope that helps you decide.

 

[rustygarden]

Are they copper?

No just galvanized. They are very well made . At least they were 25 years ago

 

[Paradox]

No just galvanized. They are very well made . At least they were 25 years ago

Unfortunately very few things are made as well today as they were 25 years ago if the product has been around that long