Miracle Grow + Junipers

18 years ago

I have a south-facing hill. In sept of 2001 I planted 125 very small Blue chip junipers (from one of the mail order places). The pots were a little larger than a shotglass. The shrubs were all strong at the time, but I made 2 mistakes

1) used landscape fabric (to minimize weeds)

2) did not remove two fairly large Ailanthus altissima (tree of heaven)

I have corrected both mistakes.

The junipers are now mulched. Most have survived, in spite of my stupidity. I notice that they love Miracle Grow (Acid Loving). Instead of dragging out hoses to water in the Miracle Grow, cannot I just lightly sprinkle some of that blue powder on the hill? What is the difference??

I'll try to get some pics of the hill tomorrow.

TIA

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Comments (4)

bullthistle
18 years ago
It is best to dilute because it could burn if you don't get enough moisture. Miracle Grow once a year is sufficient.

Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
Embothrium
18 years ago
Strictly speaking what will be sufficient depends on what minerals are in the soil there already, what minerals are in the irrigation water and what those particular plants might need. Maybe they need something else from what a once per year application of that product would provide.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
18 years ago
the specific simple answer:

water soluble fertilizer can not be spread ...

you are kinda missing the soluable part of the equation ... the water part ...

first.. conifers do NOT need fertilizer ... unless as bboy notes.. a soil analysis indicates something is missing from the soil ...

second.. a little this or that... SHOULDNT hurt ... but can ... go very easy ... any balanced fertilizer would work .. in moderation ... i just bought a 40 pound bag of 12-12-12 for 10 bucks ... and i will store in in a 5 gal pickle/frosting bucket [depends if you live closer to a deli or a bakery.. lol .. with a water proof lid] .... for many years .... adding no more than a teaspoon or tablespoon of fert around a plant .... any more.. and frankly all you are going to do is feeding it into the water table ....

your shot glass babes are not going to grow like weeds.. until the grow a root mass sufficient to support such growth ... and that simply takes time a proper watering ....

i grow in pure yellow sand.. and rarely use any fertilizer at all ...

you bought micro plants... as i do ... now you just have to give them the time to grow ... the baby child is not going to grow to 6 feet tall in the first year ... just because you give it more formula ...

good job on fixing the other problems ...

ken
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
18 years ago
Tom, one of the single most important elements in helping your young plants to grow is water. I'd keep dragging the hoses out occasionally, depending upon your weather conditions.

Why not take a couple of soil samples in the area so that you have a better handle on fertilization frequency?