I use Foliage Pro on and off because I rotate fertilizers. I use 1 tsp. per gallon of Foliage Pro with tap water when I do. I worry about over fertilizing so it's one month this, one month that. Fish emulsion has an odor which lasts for a long time so I don't use it on a regular basis.

I use about 1 tbsp/gal during the summer months (my trees are in 5-1-1), but I feed them at least every two weeks. I make sure to thoroughly water between fertilization. Last summer I got lazy and just sprinkled a light layer of Peters on the top of the soil. That worked just fine. When I did use FE, I added maybe 3 tbsp per gallon, but did not use it much last summer except as foliar spray. It smells, but after a day or so, it fades.

I meant to write that I’m currently using 1 tsp, not 1 tbsp.

I had to pick up a chelated iron product for a new plant I got that was deficient. It also contains micros. (fertilome chelated iron)

From what I read (I would have to check my notes again for the details) , sounds like most citrus would likely benefit from an extra dosage of these micros, even when using your regular fertz with micros. So I plan to hit mine with some at least once this year.

If you are using Foliage Pro or Foliage Pro plus Osmocote, then why use fish emulsion either as a spray or for fertigation?

In my case, my outdoor garden is primarily organic. A few times in summer I would apply seaweed to my in-ground plants. The container plants gets a foliar spray at the same time as a side-effect. To me there is no obvious evidence that it helps the container plants.

In my experience I have no reason to use Fish Emulsion, other than to prevent mites, scale and other sucking pest from being brought indoors by the end of summer.

Neptune's Harvest is my only choice because it's 'cold' pressed and locally can be picked up from the warehouse that makes it here near the coast. I also use their crushed crab shells in my mixes to help it remain open and porous while providing nutrients.

So I use it all summer on a regular basis and it 'seems' to help fertilize although that is not my main objective although all my yard plants grow humongous because of along with the fruits and vegetables I grow.

I didn’t even realize fish emulsion could’ve used for pests. I had seen other people mention it, so I was curious. I’m trying to put together the best care routine possible. It seems innessary, from what people are saying.

I like fish emulsion in the summer when the trees are outside. It does help keep pests at bay. I use it on every single plant I have. I usually mix mine one tablespoon per gallon. I don’t think it really makes much difference on my citrus in terms of fertilizer, but my tomatoes and strawberries benefit the most. They look greener the next day haha.

For those of you who use fish fertilizer, you may find this interesting: https://www.gardenmyths.com/fish-fertilizer-worth-buying/

Also, I have not been able to find anything online that says fish hydrolyste or emulsions prevent insect infestation and/or are effective pesticides.

But, fish protein hydrolysate cures cancer:

Picot, L, et al.,'Antiproliferative activity of fish protein hydrolysates on human breast cancer
cell lines', Process Biochemistry. Vol. 41, no. 5, May 2006.

I have some snake oil I can sell you cheap.

Vladimir it's obvious you didn't look hard enough here at the forums for proof that the natural oils in the Neptune's Harvest that I use 'helps' prevent these infestations I no longer deal with. Keep looking)

Mike

Mike, what I see on the forums is all anecdotal "evidence". Anecdotes may be nice stories but they do not provide scientific evidence from well designed and conducted research.

Vladimir, if it does not work for you I'm sorry for you, you whom are always trying to stifle pest issues.. It works for me and is based on my experience and countless of others throughout out these forums and for years. I kindly help out others here and have for years with a heart that cares. I didn't make a definite blanket statement saying it is a cure, but I shared my experience that it works with my trees. So I don't need scientific back up just as many here don't using what works for them.

They can always give it a try themselves and see if it works. It works for me, using the 'cold pressed' emulsion as I said. When's the last time you tried it with 'Neptune's Harvest' faithfully all summer long that you can make this statement?

Many anecdotes work and the evidence is in my trees... Recently I have not enjoyed your comments for it seems you like to knock certain ones down, especially me.

What is really enlightening is to see you make such a sarcastic comment, 'snake oil' when you know full well it has helped others and people that I respected 'liked' how you respond to me. There is no loyalty here and no neutrality..

My mom would like to buy some of your 'snake oil' and give that a shot.

I'm done here and why do I bother? The appreciation level around here sucks most times.. Sometimes this place is a joke. You can come down off your high horse with me now,

Vladimir, In the scheme of things, the game of life, there are much more important things to be concerned about other than your negative comments directed at mines, the reason why I am moving on after I've made my case.

Sorry Alanna, but there will always be some that will agree with Vladimir and many with me. So you have the freedom to try what you wish and keep us updated if you could. Have a good night)

Meyermike, would you be so kind as to email me your instructions on using FE and which products you purchased? My email is kelleyelyons@gmail.com. I recently found a whitefly and a few mealybugs on my lemon trees and am trying not to freak out lol. Thank you so much for your time!

Mike, all I meant was that there is that no scientific evidence has been provided regarding efficacy of FE as a pesticide/preventive. I certainly did not mean to put you down and am sorry you took it that way.

I was at work the morning and I saw Kelley’s comment pop up. I only read the first two lines, since I was in the middle of something, but I thought to myself (with a bit of a huff), “Mike, please post your instructions on the forum, don’t email them to Kelly or I’ll have to remember to ask for them later”. Mike, I hadn’t read you previous comment yet, so I couldn’t understand why Kelley was asking for a direct email, but I was looking forward to your instructions too. I certainly respect people’s individual experience. I googled the Neptune product back when you first mentioned it and bookmarked it last week.

I think the great thing about this forum is that it is a place where everyone can share their personal experience with what worked for them and then we can decide what to try for ourselves. Just this weekend I learned something new (which I course haven't gotten to post about yet)! I really don’t understand why it can get so heated and personal here. I find it incredibly helpful to read the experiences of everyone here, especially those who have been doing this for a long time. (Mike I randomly found myself reading a comment of yours from many’s years ago on another forum and chuckled to myself.)

Both Meyermike and Vladimir, amongst many others, have been instrumental to me in successfully taking care of my citrus and growing my collection. Mike, if you are serious about leaving, then I’d like your email address, so I can continue to ask you questions. Personally, I think it’d would be easier to stay, plus then everyone else could see your advice.

I know that on this forum, as well as in real life, I am not great about expressing gratitude. But you all should know that I read every single comment on my posts, I research suggestions, I buy recommended products, I implement suggested strategies, etc. I find it so difficult and overwhelming to search for a product or get on answer on the internet these days. I feel like everyone is trying to sell me something and that highly recommended product that a person loved turned out to be a sponsored post. I don’t trust anyone, except people who have nothing to gain. Like everyone here, who are just trying to share and help. I am grateful for everyone here who takes the time to share and I never would have been able to keep my trees alive without it.

On anectodal evidence: https://www.gardenmyths.com/anecdotal-evidence-not-worth-the-screen-its-displayed-on/

Vladimir: beer, epsom salts, bone meal, and a dash of Ivory soap - good for Calcium and Magnesium but too high Phosphorus :) Anyway, I enjoy reading gardenmyths blogs a lot.

Suggestion: continue using FP as-is with your container plants. Since FP contains all essential macro and micro nutrients there is nothing else required. However, if you believe the *flavour* (or other intangibles) is improved by using organic amendments such as compost tea feel free to do so, but they might just wash out the bottom of your pots providing little benefit.

It is worth recalling that 'organic' fertilizers require bacteria to break them down to make the nutrients available to the plant, which is easy in ground but YMMV with containers. 'inorganic' fertilizers do not require this.

A lot of problems with inorganic fertilizers come not from the fertilizer, but because the only supplementation of nutrients comes from inorganic means the soil bacteria starves and dies, and a lot of people who use inorganic fertilizers use broad spectrum synthetic pesticides/herbicides which further damage soil health. This is not a concern in containers.

Yes, I change my FP use in the winter. I use 1/4 as much, but I have a southern window with great light. If I had an east/west window probably 1/8th dosage (just to keep them going right?). If there are any signs of nutrient deficiency (yellowing leaves, etc.) I boost the amount of FP I give.

I do find it very helpful to know what forum members are doing to be successful at growing these persnickety trees! That said, I too am guilty of trying things in my growing process that lacks a control. Thank you for posting the links - I really enjoyed the Anecdotal Evidence post - ...a lot!

I do not mean to put anybody down when I mention that anecdotal evidence is not reliable.

One other note on fish products, seaweed products, and greensand: they may not be particularly sustainable - especially the seaweed and greensand. They probably provide some pest benefit because they’re an oil sprayed to the foliage, but neem or horticultural oil would likely work just as well for the purpose. I generally try to avoid sprays as much as practical and prefer planting perennials and annuals that attract beneficial insects that will gorge themselves on the bad guys.

I am sure happy the way i am doing things, have express my way doing many times, some well received but a lot of members don't and some are not trainable. That is what you have with forums, some spread confusement and others are right on.

no offense should ever be taken from posts on a forum; any forum. I just hope that all can take a breath and step back.

I consider this the leading citrus forum right now; a forum for me to learn from others successes as well as mistakes. New (- or old -) information is always welcomed. And we should realize that some things work and others do not - for a huge variety of reasons.

I understand that people may get upset, that happens all the time. - I mean hey - some folks don't like my forum name.. but that is what I am doing this afternoon - - I've got a new rogue messing with me and his days are numbered!

No offense taken. Some are just plain ole rude, condescending and make others look like they have not got a clue about what they share, their success, and others side with that. What works with some may not work with others....It is what it is.

It works for my trees and I don't mind if anyone agrees or knocks it before they try it. My trees agree and that is what matters..)I never bring in the pests many here deal with and I have my secret I am willing to share without fear of comments like that of Vladimirs. To me and my trees it's not "anecdotal", although I do agree that the articles are quite interesting in many aspects.That's my nice "story"

If anyone wants my suggestions and what works for my trees in private, you are invited to privately e-mail since a few already have and many more for the past 15 years. You should be able to reach me through Houzz. Have a good night all.

Mike

"What we have here is a failure to communicate."

Sorry everyone, I wasn’t trying to stir things up - I recently found several pests on my trees since they’ve been outside the past few weeks and was willing to give the FE a try since Mike said it worked great for him. Alanna and others - very well said and I completely agree. I receive many greatful tips from most active members, including Vlad, Mike, Silica, and many many more. Hope you all have a great evening!

Vlad, I love that movie! Lol

Kelly you didn't stir things up at all. No need to apologize)

Vladimir has known me for quite some time now,and I was quite taken back to see the response he directed to my helpful suggestion, brushing my suggestion off as a mere story, unfounded , after all the help I have given him and others, and after all the success he knows that I have had through the years.

At a time you think you have made good friends here, there is always that one that comes along and disappoints you. . I'm just grateful this entire forum for the most part is not only made of people that care about their trees, but people that care about each other and show respect for those that have had great success with many little secrets you don't find anywhere else verses those that make others appear that their success is foolish.

Like I said, you are always welcomed to e-mal me and see how I prevent pest invasions on my trees year after year while others are constantly dealing with them. I use to have this problem, but not anymore except for the trees I don't bother treating with F.E Have a wonderful night. When I said I was done here, I was done trying to convince the minute few who have yet to try the product I use and the way I use it.

Vladimir, you have my e-mail, why don't you try to e-mail me what you mean then if you care, instead of publicly making my suggestions a look foolish pushing "anecdotes" and "nice stories" or change your wording if your intentions were good? I'm not convinced your comments after mines was done in good faith or a spirit of kindness and accuracy. Enjoy your bugs.

Now I see you edited and added an apology? Like I said e mail me anytime .

Know what I like about the 'like' feature? You get to see the true nature of those whom you thought would good hearted people around here.

PacNorWreck, really? After what I said ?

Mike I’m not sure why you think I would attack you? If you took my post that way then I’m quite sorry - at the same time, why is it so bad for me to post my opinion regarding fish and seaweed products? Does it hold any less value than yours? You’ll note I did not say anything to imply that you were wrong, misleading people, or misinformed - just that in my opinion there are similarly effective products out there that may be more sustainable, as sustainability is important to me.

Mike, the only reason for me liking Vladimir's post is the link to article on fish hydrosylate. It would be difficult indeed to analyze whether a post contains language that may or may not offend someone else before hitting the like button.

Tropic, you got it. Pac, that was my point. I can't stand the 'like' feature. It looks like a person agrees with 'everything', ones I have always respected. Good point there although if you had read my post, you would of seen where I was coming from too. No worries.

Vladimirs comments was an attack on my post, passive aggressive and I did not appreciate it. I have been helping out members here for years and many have had success using F.E to prevent pests so to me it's not an anecdote or 'nice story' It's my evidence and all I need to share it. I am not going to start worrying about using 'scientific evidence' to share my success with anyone and either should anyone else have to.If no one else saw that, then my bad.

Pac it was not your post that bothered me. Sorry if that how it seemed.

Mike