I only use Miracle Gro. I would stay away from high nitrogen fertilizers for ferns-high nitrogen is probably best used in preparing the ground prior to planting vegetables!

How strange! Seeing as ferns are foliage plants with no flowers or fruit to feed one would logically use a feed thats predominantly nitrogen. Not in high levels of course but just lower levels of P and K

Yep, I've always assumed nitrogen for things like ferns, willows, and equisetum...basically, anything that grows naturally with its roots in nutrient-rich black muck.

Most of the time (spring through fall) I just use fish emulsion periodically.

This year, I'm using fish emulsion almost every time I water my equisetum. The ferns, about once a month.

Josh

Isn't fish higher in pottassium?

I think it's 5-1-1....but I don't have the bottle in front of me. I've always associated fish emulsion with nitrogen...

Josh

A fern producer friend uses a time release fertilizer with a N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2 (Osmocote 18-6-12 or similar). He said this produces a quick turnaround, from TC liners to 3L Retail Ready Ferns in a few months.
I seldom use any type of fertilizer in the garden, except for Tomatoes and rely on annual applications of compost and leaf mould.
Rb

Osmocote.is that those little yellow balls you sometimes find in with potted plants?

greenlarry.......
The Osmocote sold over here has multi-colored prills(little balls). Each one of the resin coated prills contains the exact formulation of nutrients.(they proudly boast)!
They market their product througout the world, but often use different formlations, for different countries. Also, could be sold with a different name and made by a licensed company.
Other companies also make time release fertilizer and enjoy a share of the market.
I would think that any of the fertilizers encased with a resin coating, whatever the color, would be the slow or timed release type. MHO
Rb