fertilizer dilution

I've read that miracle gro/miracid should be diluted to half the recommended strength when being used for bonsai. I was looking at the species it could be used for and I saw azaleas, junipers and other evergreens. Why does it have to be diluted and what happens if you don't dilute it? another question, would they be good on boxwoods, pines and spruces?
rob v.

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TreeBay

Hi Rob,

Miracid is the product intended "for acid loving plants," which includes those you mentioned as well as many others that prefer a slightly acid pH. It should be fine on boxwood pine and spruce.

While I prefer using organic fertilizer because I believe it supports the development of a strong root system and beneficial soil micro-organisms, I would otherwise use Miracid on most plants because I live in an area (San Jose) where the water is a little hard and a little alkaline. The Miracid tends to buffer the pH a little.

I have often seen the recommendation to apply water soluble fertilizers (and even occasionally insecticides) at half-strength to bonsai. I don't know the basis for this. With the fertilizer, I think the original thinking was to apply it at half concentration - TWICE as often.

I suspect that many plants could tolerate full-strength application of fertilizer of Miracid/Miracle gro. Just never use a granulated chemical fertilizer at the strength recommended for plants in the ground. THAT is a recipe for root burn.

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Using a half strength mix twice as often makes sense to me. Most bonsai soils are very free draining and the fertilizer won't be around very long for the roots to take it in. I think the trees would get more benefit giving them a weaker solution more often. *It also depends on what stage of development your trees are at. *For trees in training I use 20 20 20 for finished bonsai that I don't want to grow too fast I dilute it to 5 5 5.

Tony

Soildoc

The half-strength twice as often is what I use too. Since we are working with root systems that are considerably different from other plants (both potted and "field grown&quot, I like to spoon feed my trees like this.

pillsPMD

what about during the winter, still twice as often half strength, or does that only apply to growing season? a book i have says to fertilize once a month during the winter.

Soildoc

If you have "indoor" bonsai, continue with the 1/2 strength twice as often. If your bonsai are outside, then you can cut back on fertilizing if the trees are dormant

pillsPMD

so i should fertilize every 2 weeks? even during the winter w/ half as strong as what the fertilizer company suggests.??

i'm still not clear what exactly is half strength..

Half strength fertiziler.

If the directions call for one tablespoon per gallon of water a half strength solution would be one tablespoon per two gallons of water. Twice the amount of water will give you a half strength solution.

Whether you should fertilize during winter or not depends on your setup. If you are keeping them warm and giving them plenty of light they will be trying to grow and will need fertilizer if they aren't getting enough from the soil. Tropicals are the only trees/plants that should be in that situation in the winter IMHO. *The few tropicals I grow are in the basement and kept around 50 degrees and very low light. *I don't fertilize them because they can't use it and don't need it in this state. They will rest there until I put them outside in the spring. Then the fertilizer program will star again.

Tony