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The_Gardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Anyone here use this organic fertilizer?  If so, how much do you use for 1 gallon of soil mix?  and how do you apply it? (for new plants, and established plants)

Thanks
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rcantor

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
I don't use it in small pots.  In large pots I sprinkle a handful or 2 on the top every Spring.  I go by the sq' recommendations on the label.  For another thread I calculated potting costs and this stuff more than doubled the cost of each pot's soil so when I use up what I have I'm not getting any more.  I'll use worm castings and regular compost instead.  I think the best of the Tones for figs is the Tomato Tone but it's just an opinion.  I like the NPK ratio and the extra calcium.
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cis4elk

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
Love it, I would use about a teaspoon for a gallon container, maybe more..it depends how nutrient rich your potting mix is to begin with. I usually don't really measure for a container like that though. I fill it about 1/4-1/3 full, add a big pinch(my hands aren't large so my big pinch could be different than yours) and mix it around a little and lightly pack add more soil or the plant whichever comes first. When I get to about half full I sprinkle a smaller pinch around the circumference and slightly mix it in, add more soil and once it's nearly to the top I add another small pinch mix around a bit, top it off and pat down like I do.
I like to use the Starter-tone for smaller plants, I think it makes a big difference, but Any-tone is better than No-tone.
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don_sanders

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
I mix in 3 TBL per gallon of potting mix. Seems to work well. I got a 36lb bag for about $27 on jet.com after the discounts with free shipping.

I use the holly tone on the blueberries, lemons, and blackberries.
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Don - Columbus, OH. Zone 5b/6a Wish list: Rafed/Adriano's Genovese Nero, Your favorite fig.
The_Gardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I guess it doesn't matter how much you use then. Some people said they use 1 tablespoon per gallon, some use 3 tablespoon, and some even recommend half cup per gallon of soil.

I'm kinda confuse really.
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nkesh099

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Alan,

Holly Tone is for acid-loving plants (blueberries, Citruses and etc). Do you use it with Figs? What's your pH?

Navid.
don_sanders

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Gardener
I guess it doesn't matter how much you use then. Some people said they use 1 tablespoon per gallon, some use 3 tablespoon, and some even recommend half cup per gallon of soil. I'm kinda confuse really.


Plant-tone is an organic fertilizer so a lot of the nutrients are bound up and slowly release into the mix over months.  You don't have to worry so much about over fertilizing, salt build up, or leaching away like you would with a chemical fertilizer.  For example of Plant-tone's 5% nitrogen, 3% is labeled as slow release.  You just need to use enough to make your plants happy without wasting money or creating an unpleasant aroma from the high content of chicken manure.

On the flip side, you need microorganisms and time to release the nutrients into the soil.  If your soil is sterile, you wouldn't get much benefit from an organic fertilizer.  You won't get an instant release of nutrients like you would with a chemical fertilizer.  It needs time to break down and release those nutrients.  You are feeding the soil as much as you are feeding the plant.

Depending on the package, it recommends to add up to 6 TBL - 10 TBL per gallon of mix in pots.  I use the 3 TBL because my mix is 40% compost and I occasionally supplement with other organic fertilizers like neem cake, Floralicous plus, Earth Juice grow and bloom, etc.

There is no perfect and exact recipe.  Good luck figuring out what works for you.


Holly-tone has a higher percentage of sulfur (5% vs 1%) which can lead to a decreased PH over long periods of time which is why it is recommended for acid loving plants.
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Don - Columbus, OH. Zone 5b/6a Wish list: Rafed/Adriano's Genovese Nero, Your favorite fig.
The_Gardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 
don_sanders, thank you for your detailed explanation and clarification.
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