What do you feed your natives?

[Jason]

Thank you Denz and Mr Pup now will have to find out where to buy it, I have noticed that that link is an American website,is it available here as I have never seen it, where does everybody get it because every Bunnings I have been in does not seem to stock it in Sydney.,Thanks

http://www.masters.com.au/product/90000 ... -food-500g

I believe this is the aussie one not speaking for pup, just from my own googling

[Graeme]

Thats the one - hey pups busy.

[Pup]

Thats the one - hey pups busy.

Yes we have been, gave him your regards he said to say thank you.

Cheers mate

You have to look for it in the Big shed

[Ray M]

Hi Everyone,
This note is to fill you in about Miracle-Gro. I have been using Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Azalea, Camellia,Rhododendron, for a number of years now. I have put many people onto using it and they have had great success also.

the sad news is that Scotts have stopped making this particular variant. Below is a copy of the email I received back from Scotts.

Greetings Scotts customer,

You recently lodged an enquiry. Our response is:

I regret to say this very popular variant has been discontinued by Bunnings.
You should now use MFeed All Purpose or MF Flowers & Blooms.
If feeding Aussie natives, try the new M/Gro tablets for Trees & Shrubs.
I hope this will be of some help,
Neil Williams
Coordinator, Scotts Home Garden Advice Line
Tel 1800 804 219 (Mon-Fridays 9am-5pm)

We hope that you continue to enjoy our products & services

>From the Scotts Garden Advice Team.

The following is the specs for Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Azalea, Camellia,Rhododendron = NPK 28-1.8-10

Here are the specs for Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Flowers & Blooms Plant Food = N-P-K-S of 16-7-18-3 (S=Sulfur) 0.17% iron, a range of trace elements

Here are the specs for MaxFeed All Purpose = N-P-K-S of 24-6-12-4 (S = Sulfur). It also contains a range of essential trace elements.

I have not tested these replacement as yet. I still have a supply of Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Azalea, Camellia,Rhododendron.

Regards Ray

[dennismc]

Hi Folks

I have been growing natives as Bonsai for well over 20 years. I have never used "special native fertilisers" on my natives. All of my bonsai receive the same fertilisers ie pelleted fertilisers in the soil with added blood and bone at planting time. With the exception of such plants as Banksia occasional feeding with liquid fertilisers is given. Banksias and other Proteaceae do not get the soluble fertilisers unless they are showing yellowing of their leaves indicating a need for additional feeding.

The truth is, when Sydney University did some experiments on natives and fertiliser toxicity they found only about 3% showed any toxicity to phosphorus. These few were very specialised plants that we are unlikely to encounter. The myth about phosphorus toxicity was a "guess" by early gardeners who realised that Oz soils were deficient in this chemical component. The deaths of plants attributed to phosphorus are usually the result of excess application of it or to some unrelated cause.

The truth is that ALL plants need an adequate level of phosphorus to develop branches, leaves and flowers, etc.

In response to the deficiency most natives with the exception of the interlopers that arrived later in Oz (such as the figs, lilli pillis, etc) have developed special (eg banksias) or in general much more efficient means of extracting it from their environment. Hence they are only subject to excessive application of fertiliser, not much different to most exotics.

As in everything in life I believe that moderation is the way to go. Imbalanced fertilisers can lead to many problems.

I hope this is of help to you.

Dennis Mc

[Paul W]

I regret to say this very popular variant has been discontinued by Bunnings.

Does that mean it has been discontinued or that Bunnings are just not stocking it.

[Jason]

I regret to say this very popular variant has been discontinued by Bunnings.

Does that mean it has been discontinued or that Bunnings are just not stocking it.

Seems like its discontinued I couldn't actually find it on the Scotts site, which is why I linked to another hardware store originally... I just thought I wasn't looking hard enough, but that would explain it

[Bretts]

Bunnings discontinued some time back saying that they have other fertilisers that will do the same job. But whem I asked them what will do the same job they came up blank
Brett the profesional pain in the arse 1 Bunnings 0
I then asked Scotts about this issue and where I could get some. They came up blank but sent me out a few free bags. PPA 2
So I would guess that losing thier Bunnings contract of the product was the start of the end!


So it seems no one knows what Phosphorous toxisity looks like, Has anyone ever added heaps of tghe stuff to see what happens?

[Graeme]

So I would guess that losing thier Bunnings contract of the product was the start of the end!

And this is exactely why Bunnings is my very last port of call whenever I am looking for anything Garden orientated. This problem is only going to get worse as the big players continue to swallow up the little guys. Sure it cost a dollar or two more to support the smaller guys, but if we don't, they just wont be there when you need them and the big players will be directing your spending in any way they want.

Having said that, I will be off to the BGS tomorrow and checking out if there is any Mirical-Gro left on the shelf.

[Bretts]

[Paul W]

he following is the specs for Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Azalea, Camellia,Rhododendron = NPK 28-1.8-10

Here are the specs for Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Flowers & Blooms Plant Food = N-P-K-S of 16-7-18-3 (S=Sulfur) 0.17% iron, a range of trace elements

Here are the specs for MaxFeed All Purpose = N-P-K-S of 24-6-12-4 (S = Sulfur). It also contains a range of essential trace elements.

I have not tested these replacement as yet. I still have a supply of Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Azalea, Camellia,Rhododendron.

Regards Ray

I have contacted Scotts today and they have confirmed that they have discontinued the Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Azalea, Camellia,Rhododendron and have recommended the Miracle-Gro MaxFeed Flowers & Blooms Plant Food but is the middle number too high for natives,if it is what are you guys going to use now.

[Pup]

In WA the powers that be have determined, that the phosphorus level in fertilisers from next year must be no higher than 2.

That is all fertilisers as( they say ) to reduce run off into the waterways and wetlands. As Phosphorus causes lots of problems to the local ecology.

So they will be no doubt produce one that will be suitable for us.

Cheers Pup

[shibui]

In WA the powers that be have determined, that the phosphorus level in fertilisers from next year must be no higher than 2.

I understand the problems with excess fert in waterways but limiting the ratio to 2 does not make sense to me. Surely it is more about the application rate than the %age Must be aimed at home gardeners and parks/ farming, etc. The nursery industry is already required to prevent runoff from growing areas.
Keep us posted on this one Pup. I will be interested in seeing where this one goes.

[Pup]

It will be interesting to see if the Manufacturers feel there is a big enough market in WA to change

one of my Grandsons is in the turf industry as a ground keeper for Fremantle golf course now with Burswood parks and gardens.

Said the same as you have it is not the percentage so much as the usage .

Cheers Pup

[Paul W]

Hello Paul

Unfortunately Miracle-Gro Soluble Plant Food for Azaleas, Camellias & Rhododendrons is no longer available. The range has been condensed to three variants: All Purpose, Flowers & Blooms and Tomato, Herbs & Vegetables.

Also, unfortunately, none of the three available products is suitable for use on Australian native plants, because the phosphorus content is too high.

We were very sad to see the Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron product disappear from the range, because it was the only water-soluble plant food available in Australia that could be safely used on native plants. Despite the pleas of this Home Garden Advice Team, the company chose to delete it - we are not exactly sure why.

As an alternative, we recommend Miracle-Gro Seafeed 3in1, which is a seaweed, fish emulsion and liquid manure product with added trace elements. It is suitable for Australia native plants because it has a low phosphorus content.


This is my last post on this matter but I thought all you guys would like to see the last word on Miracle Gro for Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron that I got from Scotts so we will all need to find an alternative for our Natives, any suggestions