what organic fertilizer do you use?

Graydon

I have been using Bio-Gold (gold bag) for a while but it seems there is an import problem* with it and it is not available form my normal supplier. I have found another supplier but they too may experience a shortage if caught importing.

*Import problem = it was found in a container opened for Department of Homeland Security inspection. It was lacking proper import paperwork (new news to importer who thought everything was fine). It seems it contains droppings from chickens and we are now so concerned about the avian flu this can't pass into our country unless a Government veterinarian in Japan certifies the poop is virus free. That's not going to happen to the degree our government wants so it is now on the banned item list.

I need a replacement soon. I have a ton of pines I am growing out and I currently superfeed them with Bio-Gold as the main component. The other components I use are fish emulsion and liquid seaweed. Want to stay with a solid organic as the main fertilizer.

My options are found below. Any feedback on these products from users is appreciated.

Rapeseed cakes - have some coming in, they are poop free so I can get all I want. Not used before.

Green King - have not used. Do not know import restrictions.

Green Dream - got a 2 lb. bag last week and have applied to some trees. Smells bad and it's small pellets that breakdown rather quickly. Colin Lewis endorses and sells this stuff.

BioGold Organic (in the white bag) may or may not be poop free. It's available and I will try some soon.

Homemade poo balls - been there and done that. Too much time to make and too much bad smell in the process. Would rather spend the money on a pre-made item.

__________________

Advertisement

deza_towain

Graydon,

I use an organic rose food fertilizer (dry) during the heavy part of the growing season.
This advice was presented by an California bonsai master who visited a beginning bonsai person who was previously in rose horticulture during one of our special club workshops. He was astonished at the results and follows his own advice.

I supplement with the others that you mentioned, rotating weekly.

Deza

Ralph

I use this one:




FUJIYAMA BRAND "ORGANO-GRO" An extremely great Organic Fertilizer from Japan.
Organic Pellet Fertilizer

Fujiyama Brand - ORGANO GRO - An Excellent Japanese Organic Fertilizer for use with your Bonsai and all Plants. We purchase this high quality product in very large bags and then repackage it into an much more affordable size for our customers. You will be very happy with this product as it gives you many of the key ingredients that the more expensive products offer. Please check out the details about fertilizers at the top of this page. Major Fertilizer Elements NitrogenN4% of total weightPhosphorus6% of total weightPotassiumK2% of total weight Minor Elements IronFe543 mg/kgManganeseMn67 mg/kgZincZn71 mg/kgCopperCu8 mg/kgSodiumNa.2% of total weightMagnesiumMg.6% of total weightCalciumCa5.3% of total weight



http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/fertilizers.html

__________________
Emerging from winter slumber
Bonsai trees burst buds anew
Spring is upon us!


-Paul S.

Graydon

Thanks for the replies. I will try both suggestions next season. Deze - can you tell me the brand of the dry rose food?

__________________

kcpoole

Hi all

Does anyone know of a source in Sydney Aus for any of these organic pellets?

Or is there a localy made replacement that I can use instead? eg Dynamic lifter?


Ken

__________________
When engineers work out how to make something Idiot proof, humanity invents a better Idiot

malix

I've used Green king for several years. Works fine. kinda pricey but its a good fertilizer if you only use organic. Mas and gary Ishii use it on thier trees at Chikugo -en in southern,CA. They originally sold me on it.

I'm looking to superfeed some plants next year and am looking for a less costly alternative that will work iwith that regimen. So i'll be interested to hear from others as well.

rlist

Oregon Bonsai uses fish fertilizer supplemented with kelp meal year round (and an occasional dose of Miracle Grow), purchased in bulk, but here is a great retail source. I have used the fish and the all purpose, both deodorized, so the smell isn't too bad. I would recommend the all purpose, as it has fish, blood, bone, yadda, yadda... It is all organic, doesn't smell too bad, and is pretty cost effective - something like $5 for 3lbs of the stuff. Pile the pellets and they will make a nice little glob of moldy gunk in no time - and a couple of applications will last the year.

I don't use pellet fish now, as my Yellow Lab eats the pellets like chocolate, so I use the liquid fish/kelp in the second link.

http://www.lillymiller.com/alaska.html#dryallpurp
http://www.neptunesharvest.com/

Don't forget to seek out your local farm supply - you too can buy the same items in bulk 50# bags and save lotsa $.

__________________
NW Oregon, Zone 8a
Check out my new blog here...
Both gold and muck come out of the same shaft...

Joanie

I just tried mixing bone meal, blood meal, and feather meal... and the mice loved it. They ate about half of it while it was drying into cookies. MMMMMMMmmmmmm tasty. There are some VERY fat little mice in the yard somewhere.

And hubby can't stand the smell in the house...

So maybe it's back to Miracle Gro.

Joanie

__________________

tachigi

Graydon,
I use and sell green dream as well. Your right it smells ripe. However that to me is a good testament that it is truly an organic fertilizer. Hints to minimize the odor or eliminate it all together. A layer of lava rock dressing or moss kills the smell. I have had "really" good results with this fertilizer. I have it on my tropicals out in the greenhouse and my bogey's and casurina are loving it.

__________________
Tom

Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
4MAAT