AusBonsai

Pup wrote: Use what you mix up as it does not last. Sorry

Cheers Pup

Luke308 wrote:In most the bonsai books I have been reading of late (which is heaps now I have access to my clubs library ) Most refer to using a fertiliser with a NPK of 20 30 20. I have never seen something with the P higher than N or K. I use a number of fertilisers on cycle yet, none seem to have much Phosphorus. From what I have been told, Debco had troubles importing Phostrogen regularly, so they made their own fertiliser with the same npk ratings which is called Debco Plant food http://retail.debco.com.au/products/plant-food I haven't used it, hence why I was asking the valuable wealth of knowledge that is Ausbonsai

I was under the impression that phosphorus improves root growth, yet I have just come across a number of articles like this quote ......

No, phosphorus doesn't stimulate root growth

By Robert Cox, Colorado State University Cooperative Extension agent, horticulture

No matter how often you've been told that phosphorus and phosphate fertilizers, stimulate root growth, don't believe it.

Many of us think phosphorus promotes root growth because we're taught to place phosphates in the root zone, below the soil surface where the roots are growing. There's a reason for putting the phosphate there: If we sprinkle phosphates on the soil surface, they don't leach into the soil and they can't be absorbed by the roots.

So, because we're taught to apply phosphates in the root zone, we've concluded they promote root growth. They don't -- not any more than does zinc, magnesium, nitrogen or potassium.

When you start a new lawn, landscape, vegetable or flower garden, prepare the soil well by rototilling in organic materials and phosphate fertilizers. Superphosphate and treble phosphate are much more effective under local soils than is bone meal (calcium phosphate).

So why do so many bonsai books recommend a 20 30 20 fertiliser? Surely I'm missing something. Is it due to being in pots and not in the earth?

I have a trident maple which when the wind blows strong it looks like it is going to blow out of its grow box, so Im looking to improve its root growth/strength. Can you suggest anything?

Luke308 wrote:
I have a trident maple which when the wind blows strong it looks like it is going to blow out of its grow box, so Im looking to improve its root growth/strength. Can you suggest anything?

Bretts wrote:I am just about to jion the I hate Bunnings club. What a crock.
Pup has sugested a fertiliser called phostrogen (s). I called around trying to find a supplier and found that Bunnings used to stock it but stopped saying that they had plenty of other fertilisers that did the same. Well ask any "expert" at bunnings what we can use that will do the same as phostrogen and you will get Ummmmmm. Even head office has not called me back with an answer. Pup did say it will be hard to find and suggested an alternative, maybe yates fruit and flower? not sure at the moment.
But what I think Pup does not know and I haven't got around to telling him yet is the phostrogen he knows is no more
Debaco stop importing the stuff about 1 year ago. Some issue with the supplier overseas not willing to package it the way they wanted so they stopped importing and have been franticly comming up with thier own recipie that they say will be almost the same It is due for release about now but they can't say when it will be on the shelf.

Bretts wrote:I have still not found it on the shelf but I did get debaco to send me out a couple of boxes last year. Seems to do the job?