Fertilizer advise

Hi IBC. I have a curious question about feeding my trees. I feed them with Miracle-grow every watering and they all seem to be realy healthy and thriving. However i have read in articles that other artists also use weekly feeds with bone meal and fish meal. Is this advisable and could any one give me any information on the matter? I would also like some suggestions on which products/brands to buy and if some one could tell me there weekly schedule on feeding there trees.
Thanks for any information you can give me.
Mikey

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Miracle-Gro (sic) is fine as an all-purpose fertilizer for containerized plants. You may need to make some adjustments for acid-loving plants, flowering plants, or needle conifers.
The addition of organic products such as bonemeal & fishmeal will attract dogs, cats, wildlife, & bugs.
I generally rotate among several products. I use fish emulsion about once a month. The way it is formulated nowadays seems less likely to attract yellowjackets.
Iris

Thank you very much Iris. You are always very helpful.

Don't make fertilizing trees too complicated. It's not.

Any more or less balanced fertilizer will keep your trees healthy. As iris says, you can make acid-loving plants (azalea, etc.) happier by using a more acid fertilizer, but it really is NOT necessary at every fertilization.

Most of us, I think, feed weekly or every two weks during he growing season and not every time we water. The idea of bonsai is not to get rich growth.

Mikey

For what it is worth, I too feed at every watering. The only difference being I rotate three organic liquid products (powdered if I can get it as it goes further). On the fourth week I only use rain-water; this they get a week off every four from feeding. I don't do this for every tree; all-be-it, similar though.

You must however use what works for you and trial and error has worked for me. I settled on three products for feeding this way. I do however supplement for azaleas etc. JWP's I do not feed on an acid base as over a lengthy period of time I have found too much acid with this species will lead to some minor yellowing of needles; not all, just some. Scots not though.

Nutrients are legion for good quality growth and generally I use trace element frit among other things. You will get many differing answers to your question for certain. I have not had any difficulties with too much growth, nor have I had over-sized leaves/needles etc with this method. I do have very healthy trees and accents though. Probably the biggest downside (in my situation) is a more regular re-potting regime.

I have also never experienced any root-burn whatsoever; even using this on semi-dry medium. On free drainers, the liquid fly's through the mix sucking air as it departs; it is clearly minimal what stays put for the roots to pull from; it has however been quite sufficient. I used to water first then feed immediately after; I think Will B does something like that; I have not had any problems by not watering with plain water first though.

All the best

Mike

Most of us, I think, feed weekly or every two weeks during he growing season and not every time we water. The idea of bonsai is not to get rich growth.

Then I presume "most of us" have "finished bonsai"? There are plenty of people advocating feeding every watering, albeit not at full strength like me. I used to feed organically with cakes, seaweed extract and tomorite and once a week, sometimes fortnightly. Since feeding daily with miracle gro, the results for developing trees is astonishing. Try feeding with what you use at the strength you use now, on a daily basis. You won't regret it.
Another daily and strong feeder on another thread. You can't see the soil for feed. https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t4081-a-visit-to-jean-paul-polmans-studio-momiji

Thanks alot guys. Very much appreciated. I feed every watering, but not at full strength. And my trees are all in the development stage and will be for a a couple of years.