Topics

When & When Not to Pinch!

Sooo.. this has been my experiences with pinching this year. Enjoy!

  • Avatar / Picture
  • Sas

What are you using for fertilizer? I usually use Osmocote and Turkey Compost, but still getting mixed results in pots depending on variety.

I've been using a lot of different stuff to see what works, Sas. I go pretty hard on the micro-nutrients.. about 1/4 cup of lime, gypsum, epsom salts & greensand/ironite per 5 gallon container. I also add 1/4 cup of rock phosphate when up-potting.

I added Osmocote slow release to all of my containers in the beginning of the season and was watering in miracle gro all purpose liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks. In early July.. late June for my area.. I recommend switching to a liquid fertilizer with more phosphorus. Miracle gro all purpose is like 12-4-8 I believe and the "bloom" fertilizer I switched to is a 10-45-30 (diluted of course). On some plants I also top dressed with Jobes tomato Fertilizer as a slow release. It has mycorrhizae fungi and I think I'll be using something similar next spring instead of Osmocote.

And that was 1/4 cup each of those items?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ljmiller3440
And that was 1/4 cup each of those items?


Yes. Even the slow release I top dress with is 1/4 cup.

Everybody has their ways. I don't pinch myself, and I would never add all those micros. The average yield on my 2 year figs is 35 figs. I'm happy with results. I like garden-tone and dynamite slow release as fertilizers. It's not broke, so I'm not fixing it.
I also think location is important. What stress factors are in your area should be what determines your actions.
Oh also I never add lime, my water is so basic, it has plenty of calcium. Every University study I ever seen says figs like a slightly low pH. I would love to see what that does not. Until I do absolutely no lime. Yes I know they grow in heavy lime areas, cacti grow in deserts, I'm still going to water mine weekly. The difference between surviving and thriving is what I'm talking about.

Reply Cancel
Subscribe Share Cancel