no luck when i tried to google it...

do you have a fuller name.. so i can search ???

since a conifer is a tree ... [but not all trees conifers] ... if it works for trees.. it should work for conifers ...

but i would still like to learn more about it before i commit ...

watering trees in pots is tricky .... let them nearly dry between applications ....

a bag of bonsai mix MIGHT be better ....

ken

I think they have changed the naming of their products so this might be difficult to find info. It should work just fine, I've used it in the past. Maples and conifers have similer requirements. Would not hurt to add some Hollytone to the container to bump your ph a bit though.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fafard Website

billb...just curious about your recommendation to use Hollytone. Think I've seen a couple of references to it lately. Is it a fertilizer you have had exceptionally good luck with? Is there a similar product, but more widely available, I can try out?

Thanks,
Barbara

Barbara,

I have used HollyTone for a few years with great results on conifers. It is formulated for acid loving plants and is mostly organic ingredients. Being an organic it is somewhat slow release and should last most of the active growing time. I would not recommend this for deciduous trees, for those there is TreeTone. The only issue I have ever had with it is has a lot of dried protein organics in it such as blood and crab. Critters, including my dopey lab, like the smell a lot and could cause some issues with them trying to get at it.

I have always been able to find this at most garden centers and including department stores. I've included the analysis below.

Hope this helps.

Holly-tone®
4-6-4
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS

Total Nitrogen (N) ...................................4.0%
1.90% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
0.55% Other Water Soluble Nitrogen
1.55% Water Insoluble Nitrogen
Available Phosphate (P2O5) ...................... 6.0%
Soluable Potash (K2O)............................. 4.0%
Calcium (Ca) .......................................... 3.0%
Total Magnesium (Mg) ............................. 0.5%
0.3% Water Soluble Magnesium (Mg)
Sulfur (S) ............................................... 5.0%
5.0% Combined Sulfur (S)
Boron (B) ............................................... 0.02%
Chlorine (Cl) .......................................... 0.1%
Cobalt (Co) ............................................ 0.00005%
Total Copper (Cu) ................................... 0.05%
Total Iron (Fe) ....................................... 1.0%
Total Magnesium (Mn) ............................ 0.05%
0.01% Water Soluble Manganese (Mn)
Molybdenum (Mo) .................................. 0.00005%
Sodium (Na) ......................................... 0.1%
Total Zinc (Zn) ...................................... 0.05%

Derived from: Dehydrated Manure, Feather Meal, Crab Meal, Cocoa Meal, Corn Gluten, Cotton Seed Meal, Dried blood, Sunflower Meal, Kelp Meal, Alfalfa Meal, GreenSand, Rock Phosphate, Sulfate of Potash, Humates, Ammonium Sulfate and Triple Super Phosphate.

Complete description -
http://www.fafard.com/?p=150

Thanks for the link. That is a pretty basic mix so I would definitely add some nutrients. HollyTone would be just about perfect.

well.. bill sure grows enough plants to know what he is talking about ....

but your site link says:

USES

Bedding plants
Flowering plants
Hanging baskets
Containers
Foliage
Interiorscapes

most of those plants... like a lot more water than conifers ...

IF IT WERE ME .... to make it a bit more fail proof... i would take a bag of that.. and the same amount of MINI CHUNKS..... and mix them together ...

did you see the post about potting media.. might be a page or two down .. wow.. 5 pages down ... go figure .. link below

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I was thinking about this and I think that you are likely to gave a problem with the mix being too light. Your plants will most likely blow over in a strong wind. Not good. If you can find it add some coarse sharp sand, not beach sand. The reason you want the sharp sand is that it will promote root development.

I have not used Fafard in awhile and I don't remember excess moisture being an issue. If you increase the drainage too much you may dry them out too much between watering. The chunks won't hurt though.

Bill

Ken and Bill, Thank you
Couple more question:
What is the amount/proportion of HollyTone that should be added?
Where can I buy mini chanks?
Below is the pic of the coarse sand I have. Is it the right one?
Thank you again.

{{gwi:695785}}

For the HollyTone I use about 1-2 rounded tablespoons per 1 gallon pot, move up proportionally for larger pots, use more for larger plants.

If you can find it look for partially decomposed pine-bark mulch. This time of year you should be able to find it at most garden centers.

It would be best if you can find silica sand (white sand) and the coarser the better. It can be difficult to find but you might be able to find it at your local nursery. Most nurseries use it. Try to find larger pcs around 1/8" or so.

Good luck,
Bill

first.. lets step back.. how long will these be in the pots???

if just for a year .. i would skip ferts...

bill keeps his in pots for a long time.... right bill ...

mini chunks.. its a mulch ... kept by the rest of the bagged mulches ... the point is... avoiding soil compaction... aerating the soil ... leaving big air gaps.. which trees like .. and increasing drainage exponentially ..... mini chunks are about the size of a marble or so ... keeps peat based soil from reconstituting itself back into the bog it came from ...

yes.. that sand is fine... the sand.. is about making the pot heavy so it wont blow over .... again.. if you have small plants.... and are only holding them for the season or two.. you probably dont need all that much ... a couple stones or rocks in the bottom would have accomplished the same thing.. but if you already have the sand.. A-OK with me..

ken

Bill and Ken,
Thanks a lot for the info!
I ordered 4" from SS and plan to keep them in containers for 2-4 years...

Ken probably has a point. I just realized that you were only potting two plants. I was asking you to do alot more than you really need to for 2 plants. First off don't put rocks in your pots. The sand should be enough. If you happen to have some pea sized limestone gravel add about a quart to the bag should be enough for the whole bag. Otherwize the sand may be enough. You can get the Holly tone at Walmart.

That should do it.

Good luck!