Rewton
1291943117
Posted 1404667604
Reply with quote #1
Sorry if this has been covered before but one concern with SIPs (sub-irrigated planters) is the possibility of salt buildup, especially if one has hard water. Because of this I use rain water and haven't had a problem. For fertilizer I typically use the Espoma products (about 1 cup tree-tone and 0.5 cup iron-tone per 5 gallons of mix). I had read about some growers adding some water soluble fertilizer to the water every so often as well. I have some synthetic miracle gro fertilizer (the blue stuff) and added it a couple times to the water reservior of my SIPs (about 1.5 tablespoons per 2 gallons). All seems well; however, I have read recently that there is some salt buildup with synthetic fertilizers like miracle gro. So I am thinking of switching to an organic liquid fertilizer (foliage pro) instead. Does anyone have experience using miracle gro over long periods of time in SIPs?
omotm
1349913471
Posted 1404698368
Reply with quote #2
We think alike Steve. Think it might have something to do with the first name?
Rewton
1291943117
Posted 1404698874
Reply with quote #3
Thanks for your comments, Steve. Unless you have compost in your mix one thing you might want to consider adding is some source of micronutrients. I started adding the iron-tone for that reason and the plants in SIPs look pretty good. I think drivewayfarmer's mix has quite a bit of compost in it and I doubt he uses synthetic fertilizers. But you are right that he would probably know whether adding them could eventually cause problems.
rafaelissimmo
1335639347
Posted 1404705647
Reply with quote #4
I have Bill's sips and he recommends long release Osmocote, in spring. I supplement with Azomite and Espoma Iron tone. I was thinking of putting some foliage pro into the feeder tube but I have not figured out how to get it from my watering can into a thin pvc tube. But I don't really see the need, my three trees in sips look really good as is. Preto does not grow as vigorously as I hoped but it does have about 40-45 figs on it despite severe pruning in order to provide cuttings to a member this past winter.
