Fertilize by pot immersion or by top watering?

5-Jun-2005	#1
Spirit_Helper bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: May-2005 Location: Winnipeg Country: Canada USDA Zone: 3 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 50	Fertilize by pot immersion or by top watering? I have searched the site and could not find an answer to this....when fertilizing with for example 20-20-20 in solution, which is the best way: immerse the pot in the solution until the top soil is moist or water it (ie. solution) thoroughly from the top? I currently water by immersion (up to the rim) and it takes about 20 minutes for my Fukien & Ficus and 30 minutes for my Ligustrum to become moist at the top soil. Thanks in advance! ~Wes

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5-Jun-2005	#2
Aurelius bonsaiTALK Expert Join Date: Feb-2004 Location: East Coast Country: USA USDA Zone: 7A AHS Heat Zone: 5-6 Posts: 172	I don't know that one way is better than the other at getting the fertilizer to the roots. With a few exceptions, watering from above is the preferred (I think so anyway) method of watering, just for the mere fact that it washes unwanted salts from the soil.

5-Jun-2005

weeijk

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Spirit_Helper

when fertilizing with for example 20-20-20 in solution, which is the best way: immerse the pot in the solution until the top soil is moist or water it (ie. solution) thoroughly from the top? I currently water by immersion (up to the rim) and it takes about 20 minutes for my Fukien & Ficus and 30 minutes for my Ligustrum to become moist at the top soil.

Hi Wes,

Note that either way you fertilize, you have to have a moist ground to begin with.
When you would water directly on dry soil, you'll get burned roots.

I water my trees lightly before fertilizing, than I water with the fertilizer from the top of the soil until the water flows out of the drainage holes.
Or I water the leaves or needles with a water mixture of 1/10 of normal fertilized water. Note that you don't give leaf fertilization to a Spruce or Douglas fir.

Normal watering can obviously done either way.

Hope this helps,

Wessel

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5-Jun-2005	#4
Spirit_Helper bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: May-2005 Location: Winnipeg Country: Canada USDA Zone: 3 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 50	Thanks Wessel and Aurelius. I have been alternating the watering ie. one week from the top, another by immersion, but it seems most recommend top...so I guess I will stick with that. Wessel...would you describe "light watering" the way you do it...Thanks. ~Wes

6-Jun-2005