Fertiliser for Bulbs

[mark smyth]

Today I'm going out to buy some fertiliser to give the bulbs a boost especially those in the same pot for a second year. What fertiliser do you recommend?

I know Chempak has already been discussed

[Maggi Young]

Sulphate of Potash

[Martin Baxendale]

I've always used Tomorite tomato liquid fertiliser and had no problems with it. High potash but still a good dose of the other nutrients, which I think you do need for the leafier bulbs like snowdrops.Plus I now also give a dose of sulphate of potash as per Ian and Maggi's advice for an additional boost to flowering and health.

[Maggi Young]

I wouldn't be using Tomorite yet, though....would wait until later... but, of course, I'm forgetting that Mark's plants are well into growth  already.... 

[mark smyth]

yes someone already said wait until later in the year to use tomato food.

Isnt S of P for bulb growth only? Should I buy a balanced general food - liquid or granular?

[Maggi Young]

Mark if you're goingto give the S. of Potash and Tomorite later... what else do you want to give them... pie and chips? They don't need more or they'll get as fat as me and I don't flower well!

[Ezeiza]

Hi:
  
    Potassium sulphate. We have a huge collection of all sorts of bulbs and invariably year after year the nutrient program is based in sulphate of potash. This has been the program for 30 years now.

    A for the other nutrients we spray (with a 14 litre sprayer) on the plants a complete formula with micronutrients in very minute doses once a month. It was found that foliar feeding make us independent of any type of soil the plants grow in.

    We do not repot our plants so a program of fertilizing is most important. Yet, no signs of starvation. Potassium is what regulates the storage of reserves for the oncoming season in bulbs, as you all know.

     Yet, doses of any nutrient are very minute to roughly approach what plants obtain naturally from the soil. Less, more frequently, seems to produce the best results. A matter of balance, so to speak.

Regards

[mark smyth]

OK. They will get fed as soon as a break in the rain comes.

Ezeiza what do you use to give them micro nutrients?

Lashing here today, high winds again over night, lots too photograph but poor light

[Anthony Darby]

They don't need more or they'll get as fat as me and I don't flower well!

I beg to differ Maggi. You are always in full bloom whenever I see you.

[Ezeiza]

Hi Mark:

            Bayer Foliar Fertilizer. I don't know if it is available in England but of course there will be something equivalent. Others were tried but this proved superb. Phostrogen is excellent but you have the additional trouble of  supplying micronutrients.

             Please note it is a complete formula WITH micronutrients.

Regards

[David Shaw]

Maggie is just one big, glorious flower And she blooms the whole year round, unlike the plants we grow in the garden.

[Maggi Young]

Anthony, David, you are too kind... I must confess to those who do not know me that, were you to read between the lines of the comments of my friends, you would realise that what they actually mean is that I am usually dressed in the disguise of a herbaceous border! I do hope however, to prove soundly perennial for a good few years yet!


Strange how the eyes and brain associations can play tricks..... I saw Ezeiza's post and must have been thinking South American thoughts.... because my reaction to his opening words were, why is he talking about Simon Bolivar....... that was how I "read" Bayer Foliar  (fertilizer)......just as well I'm not reading the news!

[Ezeiza]

Urgent!!!

             An Atlas, quick, quick!!


Alberto
Buenos Aires
Argentina