Bonsai forum

  • Page:
  • 1

TOPIC:

Can I use liquid fertalizer for outdoor bonsais? 1 year 11 months ago #75675

  • Obbsessedwithbonsais
  • Obbsessedwithbonsais's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • New Member
  • New Member
  • Posts: 19
  • Thanks received: 3
Hi, can I use liquid fertalizer on an outdoor juniper and serrisa, the liquid fertalizer is just so much cheaper!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Can I use liquid fertalizer for outdoor bonsais? 1 year 11 months ago #75677

  • Tropfrog
  • Tropfrog's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 3990
  • Thanks received: 1326
Yes you can.

I am not sure if it is so much cheaper or just dilluted.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Obbsessedwithbonsais

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Can I use liquid fertalizer for outdoor bonsais? 1 year 11 months ago #75685

  • Ivan Mann
  • Ivan Mann's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 1733
  • Thanks received: 600
If you put liquid fertilizer on the tree's soil, the first heavy rain will wash most of it away. Pellets which decompose slowly will keep on releasing fertilizer slowly.

I read somewhere that liquid fertilizer encourages long interludes. I don't remember where. I think the reason was that the liquid gives a big push and that makes the twigs grow fast, but memory may be faulty.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Obbsessedwithbonsais

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Can I use liquid fertalizer for outdoor bonsais? 1 year 11 months ago #75687

  • Tropfrog
  • Tropfrog's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 3990
  • Thanks received: 1326
The more awailable nutrients, the faster it grows and gives longer internodes.

There are fast release solid fertilizer and slow release liquid fertilizer. So you can get too much or to little nutrients with both of them.

But yes, those cheap liquid mineral fertilizer that is just dilluted solid mineral fertilizer with a lot of ammonium nitrate is like you say. Most of it flush out allready when watering and the rest is pushing long internodes.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Obbsessedwithbonsais

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Can I use liquid fertalizer for outdoor bonsais? 1 year 11 months ago #75763

  • leatherback
  • leatherback's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
  • Posts: 8620
  • Thanks received: 3653
You can absolutely use liquid fertilizer. The tree does not really care. Biggest benefit of organic solid fertilizer is the slow decomposition, which results in the tree getting fertilized continuously. The liquid just is there in one wave. I a personally not convinced it flushes out all that quickly, but thats just me. But, with liquid, best is to use a lower dose than on the package, and use it more frequently than on the package.

Solids do not have to be bonsai fertilizer. You can get any fertilizer from the garden centre. Avoid pure chemical pellets and try to find something organic based on bloodmeal or something, as salt pellets will cause problems in pots (damaging the roots due to high salt levels).

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Page:
  • 1