Understanding Fertilizer To Grow Better Bonsai Part 1
- Paul Kellum
- Jun 11, 2016
- 9 min read
Bonsai Bardo is very excited to announce that its heating up outside, so its time to fertilize our plants I know we started earlier than this but I was working to hard to write this post for spring. So..... All plants and trees need fertilizer, the food source they use to grow new cells and carry out existing biological functions. But, what fertilizer is right for your needs? That is always the question when going to a local shop or big box retailer and reading the labels. What do these numbers all mean and is this the one for you. Most companies entice you with expensive packaging and it must be good because it looks good. Then you are hit with organic vs chemical, another debate that could last a week amongst plant people. I am going to try to touch base on each of them as much as I can in open post so as not to overwhelm; we will revisit these topics in depth in later posts.
So ask yourself why do you even need fertilizer. I think that is the only easy one to answer. Plants need to be fertilized because proper bonsai soil does not provide the essential nutrients if any required for growth. When plants are in the ground and if you are lucky enough to start with great garden soil, as your plants grow, they absorb nutrients and leave the soil less fertile, then microbes and bacteria break down organic matter into more nutrients and the process is ongoing. In the bonsai world good soil is mostly aggregate and has little to no organic matter so in this case we have to supply the plant with all the food it needs to stay healthy and grow. It is important to note that fertilizer isn't just meant to make the plant bigger, it is needed to sustain normal functions like create enzymes, hormones and produce chlorophyll.
Lets Touch on Organic vs Chemical Fertilizers.
The most general way to categorize fertilizers is by dividing them into organic and inorganic. As the names suggest, organic fertilizers are comprised of all natural ingredients, whereas inorganic fertilizers are created through a variety of man-made chemicals. The benefit of choosing organic fertilizers is that they tend to improve the fertility of your soil and in bonsai that gives mycorrhizae the environment needed to flourish, which in turn helps boost the growth quality of your plants.Inorganic fertilizers can be packaged in anything from powder to liquid, and while they’re not as collaborative with the soil as organic fertilizers are, they tend to contain chemicals that are specifically designed to be absorbed in plants, such as potassium or nitrogen. Generally Inorganic fertilizers act faster than organic varieties, they are also cheaper and easier to use. However, people who are more environmentally conscious will like knowing that organic fertilizers are more biodegradable and won’t contaminate your yard soil or ground water with unnatural ingredients.
So with that being said, what should you buy and whats best for your tree? Well the truth is, it depends on the stage of development of your tree. Think of it like a body builder bulking up and building size, its all about the protein, well in plants that the nitrogen it is the first number in N-0-0 and it is the fuel used to grow cells above the soil line some roots to but its primary for vegetation growth. When your goal is growing thick trucks and you want major growth on your pre-bonsai material you need a mix with a high nitrogen number you can also mix and alternate to insure tree is getting everything it needs. When you want to maintain an older more established bonsai tree your looking for different results use a different mix with a slightly lower nitrogen number but has all the minerals and ingredients to promote strength and health. But remember even older established trees need feeing to stay healthy.
How Do you Keep The Animals From Eating IT?
Bonsai Bardo has an all natural additive to fix this when we make our mix we us 100% organic blend of the hottest spices we can find. Its blended into your fertilizer before goes into tea bags. The only animal that is not affected by this are birds, if they are your problem this wont help, but for everyone else it does. We used this in the last 2 years worth of batches and not one animal got in the way. If your making your own, the most cost effective way is by purchasing cayenne pepper in bulk at a warehouse store and adding plenty to your mix before you make the cakes. WEAR GLOVES!!!
Bonsai Bardo now carries a full line of organic fertilizers we sell individually for your needs by the Lb especially nice for those with a few trees. W We also still encourage using bags or a holder to help with keeping your soils clean and free flowing.
So when you go buy your fertilizer and make your custom blend, I know many people are going to think what do I need? “I don't want to hurt my tree,” will be one of your thoughts. Organic fertilizer is very safe and difficult to over do. It wont hurt the health of your tree. It is important that you understand if you want lots of growth, High Nitrogen (N-P-K) is what you want even in the 20’s. If you are refining your tree and have short internodes, you'll want little nitrogen either (.5-P-K) or (2-P-K). One problem I know we run into is finding a fertilizer with the N-P-K we are looking for so its better to buy the individual ingredients and blend them to achieve the numbers your looking for.
So after each fertilizer ingredient there are 3 numbers (1-2-4) or (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium)
I think its also important to say that even with chemical fertilizer it is very hard to over-do, if you have a true non organic soil mix. The organic soil will hold the salts in fertilizer and as it builds up it does the damage. If your using bonsai soil that is an aggregate mix the only thing that happens when you over fertilize is you waste your money and product. Plants are like people, they only absorb what they need for the most part so if your fertilizing all winter, it wont hurt anything its just a waste of money and product. Thats why we start in the spring, when the trees wake up.
Lets understand what is the N-P-K the 3 numbers on fertilizer.
• N - Nitrogen is responsible for producing leaf growth and is the main chemical involved in photosynthesis.
• P - Phosphorus (Phosphate) aids in plant maturity, supports the vigorous development of roots, stems, blossoms, and fruits.
• K - Potassium (Potash) strengthens the overall plant, providing resistance to disease and reduces plant stress. Aids in early growth, stem strength and improves the color and flavor of fruit.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is necessary for aboveground growth of plants, it is considered one of the most important plant nutrients. Nitrogen is used to make proteins that build cell material and plant tissue, promoting growth of the stems and leaves which is especially important for leaf crops such as cabbage, lettuce and spinach. In addition, it is necessary for the function of other essential biochemical agents. Including photosynthesis, enzymes that help plants assimilate nutrients and nucleic acids which are involved in the healthy development of fruit flowers and seeds. Of all the major plant nutrients, Nitrogen is often the most important deciding factor in plant growth and crop yield.
Excess nitrogen can also cause problems by producing excessive vegetation in certain crops where excessive leaf development is detrimental to the crop in reducing the quality of the root, fruit or flower.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Nitrogen deficiency causes stunted or slow growth, slender fibrous stems and the classic yellowing of the leaves. Younger leaves remain green longer, because they receive soluble forms of nitrogen transported from the older leaves. This usually causes the yellowing, and in severe cases, dropping of the leaves to start farthest from the growing shoots.
Phosphorous (P)
The phosphorus content of a fertilizer is calculated in percent of the phosphate present.
Phosphor helps plants transport and assimilate nutrients, it is a major building block in all living plants. It is responsible for the storage of energy. The energy stored allows for the transportation of nutrients across the cell walls of the plant. Good plant phosphorus levels ensure that crops will reach their full potential for healthy development of fruit flowers and seeds. Phosphorus helps to build plant vitality and is of special importance in the processes concerned in the development of the strong root systems that ensures better resistance to root rot diseases.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Phosphorous deficient plants are usually dwarfed and spindly. The leaves, in contrast to those lacking nitrogen, are often dark green with purple tints. The under side of the leaves are reddish or purple. Leaf veins and margins often turn bronze. Deficiency symptoms occur first in more mature leaves. Fruit development is usually delayed.
Potassium (K)
The potassium content of a fertilizer is calculated in percentage of the potassium present.
Potassium enables plants to develop strong, thick stems, healthy roots and large, plentiful fruit. Plants require larger quantities of potassium than any other nutrient. Potassium is associated with movement and retention of water, nutrients, and carbohydrates in plant tissue. This stimulates early growth and hastens maturity. Potassium is a key nutrient in the plants tolerance to stressors such as cold-hot temperatures. It also improves resistance to pests and diseases and is essential for the development of fruits, flowers and seeds.
Deficiency Symptoms:
As with nitrogen and phosphor, potassium is easily distributed from mature leaves to the younger ones. Therefore deficiency symptoms will appear first in the older leaves. These become ash-grey colored instead of deep green, will look scorched at the edges and start to crinkle or curl with mottled yellow tips that later turn bronze.
Plants deficient in potassium often develop weak stem and stalks, Small fruit and shriveled seeds along with poor growth and yields, they become susceptible to disease.
Lets Name a Few Secondary Nutrients
Calcium (Ca)
Calcium is a major building block for plant tissues, neutralizing certain acids formed in plants and helps in the manufacture of protein. In fact it should be the big 4 (N.P.K.C.) not the big 3 (N.P.K.). Calcium activates enzymes, a structural component of cell walls, influences water movement in cells and is necessary for cell growth and division. It is largely responsible for the availability of nutrients to plants and has a strong influence on microbial activity. We use oyster flour to give you this nutrient.
Deficiency Symptoms:
These include black spots on the leaves and potential fruits and stunted plants. Blossom end rot in tomatoes, where the tips of the fruit blacken and rot, is a classic case. Tip burn on lettuce and black heart in celery are also a result of calcium deficiency.
Sulfur (S)
Sulfur is a structural component of amino acids, enzymes, proteins and vitamins and essential for protein synthesis, chlorophyll transport and nitrogen utilization. Sulfur improves root strength and growth of plants as well as having an influence on improving the flavor and taste in many vegetables. Although sulfur is classed as a trace element, it is needed in fairly large quantities. Sulfur is readily lost by leaching from soil and should be applied with a nutrient formula.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Include slow growth rate and delayed maturity, young leaves are a light green to yellowish color, small and spindly plants. These problems will be rare on soils that have good organic content and were supplied with ample manure.
Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is another element required in larger quantities than most people realize. It should be in similar quantities as phosphorus. Magnesium plays an important part in photosynthesis, it is necessary for the functioning and activation of plant enzymes to produce carbohydrates, sugars, proteins and fats. It is also vital in the production of healthy and correctly structured fruits, flowers and seeds. In fact, Magnesium is essential to all the metabolic pathways in plants.
Deficiency Symptoms:
Deficiency is marked with whitish stripes between the leaf veins and yellowing of the leaves, beginning, as with other nutrient deficiencies in the older leaves.
Lets Look At What Bonsai Bardo Stocks For Your Trees!!!
These are also available to most specialty plant nurseries the numbers might vary a little but these are good references.
N
High Source Nitrogen
BLOOD MEAL 12-0-0
FEATHER MEAL 12-0-0
AGMINO POWDER 14-0-0
FISH POWDER 12-1-1
Medium Source Nitrogen
SOYBEAN MEAL OG 7-1-2
SHRIMP MEAL 6-6-0
CRAB MEAL 4-3-0
Low Source Nitrogen
KELP MEAL 1-0.1-2
BONE MEAL 3-15-0
ALFALFA MEAL 2.5-0.5-2.5
FISH BONE MEAL 3-16-0
P
High Source Phosphorous
BONE MEAL 3-15-0
FISH BONE MEAL 3-16-0
SEABIRD GUANO 0-11-0
Medium Source Phosphorous
SHRIMP MEAL 6-6-0
BAT GUANO 0-7-0
Low Source Phosphorous
CALPHOS 0-3-0
POWDERCRAB MEAL 4-3-0
SOYBEAN MEAL OG 7-1-2
FISH POWDER 12-1-1
KELP MEAL 1-0.1-2
ALFALFA MEAL 2.5-0.5-2.5
FISH POWDER 12-1-1
K
High Source Potassium
LANGBEINITE KMAG 0-0-22
Medium Source Potassium
None
Low Source Potassium
KELP MEAL 1-0.1-2
ALFALFA MEAL 2.5-0.5-2.5
SOYBEAN MEAL OG 7-1-2
FISH POWDER 12-1-1
Mineral & Additives
KELPLEX SEAWEED POWDER (Stimulates root development)
IRON
MAG-SULFATE 9.8% (Encourages chlorophyll production, bud formation and root and shoot development)
CALPHOS 0-3-0 POWDER(phosphate combination of phosphorus, calcium and trace minerals)
GRANULAR HUMIC ACIDS
HUMAPLEX POWDER (Humic and Fulvic Acid)
So now that you are overwhelmed with information I will give that some time to digest and then we will move on to advance fertilizer just for those who wonder how and what is going on.
Information Cited from a few sources mainly put together for your information in relation to bonsai enjoy. Cited sources :http://www.bettervegetablegardening.com
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