Sure-K...liquid potassium

[Cadillactaste]

Just realized the potash I purchased for my wisteria is not for container grown plants. (As it states on the back of the packaging...that I didn't read but assumed would work) Anyhow...I contacted the Farmers Exchange the feed mill in town. They have a separate building with an older gentleman who is knowledgable on fertilizers. Gave me enough Sure-K to sample the rest of the season. One .015 to .30 per plant. (Basically just a drop on top of the moss in the pot. Then water well. Once a month...he stated what all else that went into it other than just N-P-K...and how well it works. So...I just fed my wisteria bonsai a high dose of P last week. So I think I might wait a week then apply this. And see how it goes.

He said he uses it on his wife's flowerbeds as well with great success...but, also adds something with more nitrogen for them. Since its 2-1-6...but highly concentrated. What he gave me could be mixed into a gallon of water...BUT...wasteful. He uses a drop on his wife's potted plants then waters well. And finds the same results.

 

[Smoke]

Why do you wish to dose for potassium on a flowering plant? K is good for root health and over wintering but not much else. Phosporous the "P' is the element that can be dosed heavily for flower production. You can fertilize with as much as 10-55-10.

 

[Cadillactaste]

A member here named Paul...states he adds high P and K. Gets blooms like clock work. I goofed last year and forgot and gave it regular fertilizer many times...and had no blooms this season. I would like to attempt his method to some degree this season and see if I find success. I mean...if one finds success...I would like to see if I can mimic what they do to some degree. Missed the blooms this season. But, in all honesty was just glad I wintered everything without a hiccup to be to overly disappointed.

Wisteria information to better blooming trees:

Wisteria is notoriously hard to make bloom. I have found, in my limited experience with wisteria, that they perform best when treated the worst...they're into punishment. Bad/heavy sandy soil, no fert, no repotting, and drown the roots in a dish of water from July to August.


I don't agree with this at all. I have grown wisteria for 30 years and this is what I have discovered. See here for pictures of my wisteria

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthre...wisteria-flower


Wisteria rely on reserves of nutrients stored in roots and trunk during autumn for spring flowering. Thus if you root prune in winter then you reduce the amount of energy available to push flowers, instead the plant pushes foliage to rebuild reserves.

To make them flower you have to pamper them, not ignore them. They require a good quality bonsai potting mix, they require feeding throughout autumn with high K and P fertilizer right up to the point of leaf drop. Flowers consume a large amount of K so you have to feed it in autumn for spring flowers and during flowering as buds start to swell. They do not need a lot of N in the fertilizer, which will cause aggressive growth. They do like a lot of water through summer as they have a high transpiration rate and are a little sensitive to summer heat. Do not repot in winter if you want flowers. They tolerate root compaction/binding very well, so don't freak out if you don't repot every year. Plan on a flowering schedule, say two years of flowers and repot on the third year.

The more foliage left on the tree during summer and autumn, the greater the stores off starch for spring flowering.

Prune previous shoots lightly in mid winter, leaving several buds on a stem. Let them grow after flowering and in summer prune hard, which invariably cause some flower buds to appear but won't harm the plant. If you want to hold back growth, cut pinnate leaves to only two lateral leaves. This reduces the energy in the branch but keeps bud's strong. Prune unruly vine growth late in summer.

Paul

 

[Cadillactaste]

Actually...another member on a FB group also adds potassium as well...towards the end of summer and into fall as well. That is TWO people now...that does this. And has success with their wisteria blooming. So...apparently something within it helps to a certain degree is my way of thinking. Worse case...it can't hurt it.
This is what I have been feeding it...less N. I more and likely will continue with this fert. But use the liquid potassium once a month until leaf drop. There are more things in it than what we focus on that also helps the plants. It's not overly expensive to purchase...so it is something I wish to try this season. If I have success and blooms...well then I will continue my method of using both...but the one does use potash/liquid potassium at the end of season and into fall. If anything...a good trial run at something I am trying.

This is what they sold in town...with it lower in K...is the reason for my adding it now.

 

[Desert Rat]

Just be aware that plants use the raw amount, and not the ratio. By using the ferti-lome above, you'd only be limiting the plant's Potassium need if you didn't use enough of the fertilizer. That could be why Walter Pall has success with the "buy anything that is cheap" fertilizer approach. In free draining soils, any surplus that cannot be taken up by the plant is washed out the bottom.

 

[GrimLore]

I advise against Nitrogen application on Wisteria and yes that is old news You would be far better off using something like Bloom Blaster with 0 Nitrogen and a high level of Potassium. Also regulate and do not over fertilize as Wisteria really will protest. I would recommend a standard dose in Spring weekly for a month and once a month for the rest of the season... They really do not need a lot...

Try http://www.hydrogalaxy.com/nutrients-additives/blossom-blaster-20g/?gclid=CJn_z87hy8cCFUGRHwodsd0Lmw

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

Thanks Grimmy! Wish I had found that sooner. Going to order some its PERFECT!

 

[Smoke]

You guys understand that potassium is the K part of npk. The p part which is seen in high yield bloom fertilizers is the Phosphorus. Additional potassium has nothing to do with increasing bloom yield.

Go to a couple marajuana forums and read up on what makes cash crops lucrative. Not everyones cup of tea I know, but these guys get the most bang for the buck when it comes to blooms, (buds).

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

You can make tea from it?

 

[Cadillactaste]

When you think of how wisteria have long racemes and needs water. This puts it into Perspective a bit.
http://www.bonsaioutlet.com/fertilizer-usage-amounts/

Potassium
Lastly, potassium plays a major factor in plant respiration and water uptake. High potassium promotes sturdy, solid stem and leaf development. For instance a finishing fertilizer may have high potassium to harden growth and increase stem length of a flower.

 

[Smoke]

When you think of how wisteria have long racemes and needs water. This puts it into Perspective a bit.
http://www.bonsaioutlet.com/fertilizer-usage-amounts/

Potassium
Lastly, potassium plays a major factor in plant respiration and water uptake. High potassium promotes sturdy, solid stem and leaf development. For instance a finishing fertilizer may have high potassium to harden growth and increase stem length of a flower.

Interesting, we could curb the entire drug problem in America if all the growers would fertilize with increased potassium. Flower Power....NOT

 

[Potawatomi13]

advise against Nitrogen application on Wisteria and yes that is old news You would be far better off using something like Bloom Blaster with 0 Nitrogen and a high level of Potassium. Also regulate and do not over fertilize as Wisteria really will protest. I would recommend a standard dose in Spring weekly for a month and once a month for the rest of the season... They really do not need a lot...

To set flower buds does not this need to be done in the fall?

 

[Cadillactaste]

I have read it also is beneficial to the entire tree. Blooms are short lived...so, we don't want to promote overall heath either?

It sure helps crops that produces nitrogen in their roots with production...as does wisteria. If Paul does it and sees blooms for over 30 years apparently hes doing something right. I get some find it futile. But...

I'm. Seeing fertilizer is sort of like substrate topics on how ones perceive it.

Interesting, we could curb the entire drug problem in America if all the growers would fertilize with increased potassium. Flower Power....NOT

Here's the way I see it. I'm going to respect your decision. But stand firm on mine. Here is the way I evaluate things...

The five people I know who have successfully grown wisteria bonsai and can and do have blooming trees like clockwork...their theory stands GREATER than some marijuana grower.

Now...you compare marijuana growers as high knowledgeable folk. The ones caught growing it in my neck of the woods...were NEVER the brightest bulb in the box. Compared to ones who went to agriculture school...I personally when sick seek advice from a trained educated professional. I see the farmers who grow crops for a living in my neck of the woods...more valued for what they bring to the table than the few who grow marijuana. They are applying potassium to their crops for a reason...and larger crops I might add than those who grow marijuana. I ask you. Would a farmer waist money on something they are not seeing bringing great results to their crops... ? When one thinks of the acreage of farm land...my mind doesn't grasp they would.

So you can say...I think very poorly of the knowledge that goes on with marijuana growers. That isn't a strong ground to see me changing my mind...sorry.No offense to you Al. But I can't wrap my brain around your theory.

 

[M. Frary]

The good weed growers are some of the best horticulturist out there. These guys know about blooms because their product is the flower of the plant. For flowering stage they feed the bloom blaster ferts. Heavily. The plant sets the flower itself then they feed it with phosphorus. Lots.
Most people here who grow are way more educated than regular old farmers who barely have most times an 8th grade education. They have consistent results too. You know,sometimes sweet corn is real good and sometimes so so. The marijuana growers I know can grow the same weed consistently every time. Year in,year out.
I grew weed. Inside and out. I learned how to take cuttings,how to grow in inorganic substrate and how to fertilize with what and when,growing the Mary Jane myself and from others that grow it now.

 

[Cadillactaste]

They teach agriculture at vocational schools. The guy I spoke to had a college education. And explained there is more to focusing on just blooms. Overall health of plant will also play a factor. As well as what else is in a product that isn't listed under the N-P-K I'm not discrediting you. I agree P produces flowers. But K is an essential part to helping wisteria with water intake and overall health. That's all...some sites say that it can also be slightly beneficial to length of bloom.But I'm also looking into overall health of the tree.

 

[Desert Rat]

What is the absorption rate of Potassium by the roots of the Wisteria? If you go beyond that, it washes out of the bottom of the pot. Quick question, are you growing in 100% inorganic substrate, or is there organic material in there? If it's organic and you're not meeting the full requirement of all nutrients, you're limiting the "health" of the plant. Organic material would provide a buffer to this (at the expense of holding too much water). Nothing pops up easily in google, but you may want to look into the actual stoichiometric requirements of the plant.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Wisteria need water...come summer they sit in a shallow pan of water. My substrate is slightly organic because of this.

 

[Desert Rat]

Have you tried it without the tray of water? What percentage of inorganic/organic are you using?

EDIT: in my above post (#16) I meant to say "if it's inorganic and you're not meeting the requirements"

 

[coh]

Darlene,

There are certainly plenty of backwoods marijuana growers who don't know much about the science of growing plants. If you live in a relatively warm area (including Ohio), it's pretty easy to just plant marijuana seeds in the garden and get robust, healthy plants. Yes, I did this back in my college days so I'm speaking from experience.

But, nowadays there are many who have developed very advanced techniques of marijuana growing, mostly indoors, using lights, and either potted in largely soil-less media (like bonsai) or using hydroponic techniques. Those are the people whose opinions I would seek out, and they can be found all over the internet. Many forums are devoted to this topic. And since they are interested in producing buds...just as you are...there is probably something to be learned there.

Anyway, regarding the wisteria...I don't have any wisteria bonsai at this time, but many members of the local club grow them (and bloom them) successfully, including Bill V. He is having an open house next weekend and I'll try to remember to ask about how he fertilizes them. I know he uses the high P fertilizer (like 10-50-10 or something similar) but I can't remember ever seeing any of the high K fertilizers at his place.

Chris

 

[M. Frary]

Marijuana produces buds on light cues. It has nothing what they are fertilized with. The phosphorus aids in making the buds big and stinky.