Hi,

If you want numbers in that range you should go with organic fert. Chemical ferts often have higher NPK numbers. Also, what you have to remember is that those numbers are for the actual undiluted chemical formula or makeup of the fertilizer. If you use say, 10-10-10 liquid fert and dilute with water the applied fert is no longer 10-10-10. Typically the big box and dept. stores do not carry organic ferts...at least not any more. The HD here used to.

I've used groworganic.com for fert, specifically the Omega 1-5-5 for my maples and found their service and products very good.

Hope this helps,

Layne

You have a good deal of options and I think what Layne has said is your best option. You will have to find a source for Organic products, hydroponics stores and websites also seem to have some products designed for soil application with more moderate content of NPK.

It is important to indenify the reason for wanting this mix. While maples don't have a high nitrogen need, we often desire this low content fertilizer for use in regular waterings every other week or monthly. Keep in mind that you can always dilute higher concentration fertilizers like Miracid to 1/4 strenght.

Kelp extract seems to offer some promise and I plan to try it in the near future and is not terrible expesive. I have found Maxicrop to be pretty readily available here. In these products you will not get a defined or measureable NPK. It is then necessary to mix in or augment with another fertilizer to complement the Kelp.

I a search for an ideal prodcut, I just bought at 6-4-4 by Fox Farms and is formulated for soil application. What I like is it is very complete. It is important to get Fe, Mg, and Mn to maples. Maybe more important that regular "fertilizer." You might also look for a "Bloom" formula which is similar to at Layne mentions and is usually very low in nitrogen, say 1 and you see 4-5 PK.

For maples that look like they need a good kick, I am using the 1/4 strength Miracid, but to try to keep the plants from stagnating, I am using a regular application of superthrive with the 3/4 for full strength Fox Farm product every 2-3 weeks. I just started, so we'll see how it goes.

MJH