I used to use Osmocote.  It lasts 3+ months, longer than any other.  But I've switched to Miracle Grow Tomato, Fruits and Vegetable.  It only lasts 2 months but it has iron and calcium which should keep my potted plants healthier.

Your thoughts?

The data I've seen indicates no extended release products are particularly effective for as long as they claim.

Perhaps if you're growing in covered pots with carefully regulated irrigation they will, but a pot exposed to rain will wash out quickly.

I don't really have any input beyond that, sorry. I mix Plant-tone into my soil when I pot up, not a big Osmocote fan since it lacks micronutrients.

You're definitely right about not lasting as long as claimed.  O claims 4 mo, MG claims 3.  I use Tomato Tone also but it doesn't seem to be enough. 

I've been using Miracle Gro Shake N Feed bloom booster this year. I think I will stick with it.

Hm,,, important and must know info... So far I have been using MG Potting soil and taking full advantage of their well promised 6 month fertilzation and moisture control... but what happens beyond those 6 months, which is approaching fast, leaves me in shadow of uncertainty.
I know at some point i have to make my own mixture of aerated soil and learn how to use heavy duty fertilizers to feed my juveniles...crap!
I think the answer to my future problem would be to study Permaculture closely. Because I really don't like the idea of synthetic fertilizers.

I like to add slow release as a base, then MG granular stuff @ 1 tsp/gal every watering.  I plan on doing this until mid August.  I also add Plant Tone and Ironite @ recommended dose once per month.  I plan to end monthly feedings now.

Oh,  I meant GM potting soil, I'll edit.

So, Phil, you are going to progress from Monthly feeding to feed at every watering? I know Martin had recommended that for newly rooting cuttings indoors under light with half or even weaker doze of recommended one...

I like Graco, it is cheap, works fast and don't burn.

The slow release also have a temperature factor in them, I saw charts years ago about osmocote explaining how they would release faster at higher temperatures and slow at lower and for this they had summer blends as well that would be closer to the time frame stated but still had variability based on temperature as well. 

I think figs need extra iron but I would suggest to use whatever works best for you, if you get good results with the miracle grow then keep it if you think there could be improvements  try another product ( lots of people seem to like epsoma and then weekly miracle grow).  You could always make air layers and try the different products side by side next year to decide based on what you see or just try on what you have, but if it's not broken why fix it?

Fertilizer 101

Two type of extended use fertilizers,
SLOW RELEASE and   CONTROLLED  RELEASE.

Controlled release is the better product.

As Chivas pointed out, temperature is the biggest factor when it comes to longevity
of the product.

Osmocote 14-14-14  will last
4-5 months at 60 degrees,
3-4 months at 70 degrees 
1-2 months at 80 degrees.
Osmocote also has the tendency to release more fertilizer in cooler
soils than other controlled release brands.

Nutricote -(professional use name)  has numerous formulations and longevities to choose from,
sold as  Dynamite Plant Food to the consumer,  but you should be able to find the professional
formulations and choices available online.

Nutripak -  Multi YEAR  controlled release fertilizer, will last 1-3 years
depending on formulation and size.  Good for inground trees or  trees
in large containers.

Thanks Phil, you were very thorough with it :)

I use Nutricote 14-14-14 with  micro nutrients for the terrestrial orchids so it also goes on the figs.  The water at the greenhouse is spiked with fertilizer which I believe is a Cal-Mag blend.

Instead of Miracle Grow, take a look at Peters Fertilizer.
Same company as Osmocote  and they offer many different N-P-K formulations,
and for different water types as well.
They have a water soluble fert that is  10-30-20 good choice for fruiting.
Many feel Peters brand  is a better product than  MG.
http://everris.us.com/

I never had good results with Osmocote. This is much repeated in other threads but this year I decided to listen to a friend from the "old country" who lives in Chicago (not Martin- hey, hey...) and has used 10-10-10 from Menards on his fig trees for many years. So I looked around and found a 13-13-13 product at Home Depot called Twin Pines, an All Purpose Garden fertilizer. In the Spring I added several teaspoons in my potted figs along with some composted cow manure. OMG, my fig trees have taken off and produced a lot of figs this year compared to prior seasons. Every month since April, on the first day of the month, I add a small amount of this fertilizer (not the composted manure) to my pots. I will stop come September. I have had the best results from this ratio than I have ever had experimenting with other fertilizers and ratios in the past. Just my own experience, not trying to tell others what to do.

Leon_edmond,
Thanks for sharing your results.
Does the Twin Pines 13-13-13 fertilizer include micro nutrients in its analysis?

Most orchid folks prefer Nutricote because the release is more constant over a wider temperature range.  I don't know if that is true or not.  One grower told me that thousands of Cymbidiums had the roots burned off when the greenhouse temps went to 100 plus using the other brand. 

Being an organic gardener, I was happy to find this at the local nursery. It is supposed to release slowly for 6 months.  

I have been using Osmocote once in spring in my sips and regular containers. I notice the Osmocote pellets are still around a year later in the sips (Bill's covered pots). Does this mean that the fertilizer has or has not been released? Also, I supplement the Osmocote with Azomite and Espoma Iron Tone. As well as bi weekly fertilizer (foliage pro 9-3-6).

Regarding the osmocote... Squeeze one of the pellets. If it's full then it'll pop out blue/green fluid.

Savage They do produce fluid if you pop them, They are turbid, but I do not recall the color. What if it is another color? Would that mean it released the fertilizer?

Regarding another color... I couldn't tell you. I'm really new to gardening and new to osmocote. Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.