Fertilizer Question

ZBQ · July 4, 2006

Hey guys,
I recieved a box of Miracle Grow for tomatoes for my B-Day.

I thought about this and the thought came to me that I have not even heard one person on this boards say that they use Miracle Grow.

Is there a reason for this?
Just curious if I should avoid using it for some reason?

Thanks,
Neil

Worth1 · July 4, 2006

Most folks here like to use organic fertilizers for one.
The other thing is it does nothing to help build the soil and over time it will build up salts in the soil that once in is rather hard to get rid of and the price for me is a little on the expensive side.
Yes I have used it its not a bad product and will use the stuff again as I do have some here at home for other plants.
Don’t feel bad about using it, ‘as I’m sure it may hurt the feelings of the one that gave it to you if you didn’t.

Just my take on the subject,

Worth

Gimme3 · July 5, 2006

Worth answered ya...in a fine way..spoken Like a true Gentleman.

Jus be careful with it,...make sure the plants have plenty of natural soil to grow into, before employing it, and use it sparingly.

Best wishes...)))

bcday · July 5, 2006

I use Miracle-Gro, I've just not had any reason to say so until your question came up. I've used it or similar products for years without any salt buildup or other problems, so there is no reason to worry about using the fertilizer you were given. It's fine.

That's not to say that it's better than organic soil amendments. Organic is good, it keeps the soil in good tilth and the plants benefit from that. So I add compost and manure, and supplement with fertilizer, and the plants are happy.

Follow the package directions and you won't have any problems. People only run into trouble when they adopt a "more is better" mentality and overdose their plants.

sirtanon · July 5, 2006

I've used the blue stuff (MG as well as others) for years.

IMHO, it's a good way to give your plants a boost when they need it, as well as giving them a good start as little babies.

When you're planting out, be it garden or container, you ALWAYS want to start with healthy, well-amended soil, but for those times when the plant is really pulling nutrients, such as heavy flowering, fruit set, etc.. adding a dose of Miracle Gro can give them the extra kick they need.

I'll compare it to Gatorade for people.. Many athletes swear by the stuff when they're working out hard, but none of them would DARE substitute Gatorade for proper meals. You still have to have your regular nutrition(garden soil) even though you might get the extra kick from the Gatorade(Miracle Grow) now and again.

So go ahead and use the MG, it will help, but I suggest you go with a lighter dose of the stuff rather than a heavier dose of the stuff.

Althea · July 5, 2006

Can you exchange it for some kelp?

Belated happy birthday!

landarc · July 5, 2006

I keep a little around to help out weaker plants, or if I set out late to give a little boost to the plants. Foliar feeding in general can provide plants extra nutrition. MG is not the only option, but, it is an excellent growth pushing tool. I have found that one box, kept dry (it is hydrophilic and will turn into a hard blue clump, ziploc bags work), will last for a long time. I tend to cut the dosage a little to avoid over feeding.

A lot of nursery operations use a similar product to push container grown plants for market.

ZBQ · July 5, 2006

Thanks guys!

I really appreciate the info!

Neil

QAGuy · July 5, 2006

I use it too. Have for years!

I sure would like to know where the "Most folks here like to use organic
fertilizers for one." statement comes from. There hasn't been a poll
as far as I know. That's the only way to know for sure who uses what.

Yes, there are lots of folks who use organic only, but I'd be willing to bet
there are lots who use chemical fertilizers of one form or another.

And salts don't build up using chemical fertilizers unless you don't water
your plants. That bit of disinformationhas been discussed and
dismissed in the past few months. In April of this year to be exact.

July 4, 2006	#1
ZBQ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 170	Fertilizer Question Hey guys, I recieved a box of Miracle Grow for tomatoes for my B-Day. I thought about this and the thought came to me that I have not even heard one person on this boards say that they use Miracle Grow. Is there a reason for this? Just curious if I should avoid using it for some reason? Thanks, Neil

July 5, 2006	#3
Gimme3 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northeast Georgia, USA Posts: 348	Worth answered ya...in a fine way..spoken Like a true Gentleman. Jus be careful with it,...make sure the plants have plenty of natural soil to grow into, before employing it, and use it sparingly. Best wishes...))) __________________ ....Can you tell a green Field.....from a cold steel rail ? Roger Waters, David Gilmour

July 5, 2006	#6
Althea Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: z4MN Posts: 261	Can you exchange it for some kelp? Belated happy birthday! __________________ Solanaceae Hugger

July 5, 2006	#7
landarc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Left Coasty Posts: 964	I keep a little around to help out weaker plants, or if I set out late to give a little boost to the plants. Foliar feeding in general can provide plants extra nutrition. MG is not the only option, but, it is an excellent growth pushing tool. I have found that one box, kept dry (it is hydrophilic and will turn into a hard blue clump, ziploc bags work), will last for a long time. I tend to cut the dosage a little to avoid over feeding. A lot of nursery operations use a similar product to push container grown plants for market. __________________ Lets see...$10 for Worth and $5 for Fusion, man. Tomatoes are expensive! Bob

July 5, 2006	#9
QAGuy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 167	I use it too. Have for years! I sure would like to know where the "Most folks here like to use organic fertilizers for one." statement comes from. There hasn't been a poll as far as I know. That's the only way to know for sure who uses what. Yes, there are lots of folks who use organic only, but I'd be willing to bet there are lots who use chemical fertilizers of one form or another. And salts don't build up using chemical fertilizers unless you don't water your plants. That bit of disinformationhas been discussed and dismissed in the past few months. In April of this year to be exact. __________________ "We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo

July 4, 2006	#2
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Most folks here like to use organic fertilizers for one. The other thing is it does nothing to help build the soil and over time it will build up salts in the soil that once in is rather hard to get rid of and the price for me is a little on the expensive side. Yes I have used it its not a bad product and will use the stuff again as I do have some here at home for other plants. Don’t feel bad about using it, ‘as I’m sure it may hurt the feelings of the one that gave it to you if you didn’t. Just my take on the subject, Worth

July 5, 2006	#4
bcday Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NY z5 Posts: 1,205	I use Miracle-Gro, I've just not had any reason to say so until your question came up. I've used it or similar products for years without any salt buildup or other problems, so there is no reason to worry about using the fertilizer you were given. It's fine. That's not to say that it's better than organic soil amendments. Organic is good, it keeps the soil in good tilth and the plants benefit from that. So I add compost and manure, and supplement with fertilizer, and the plants are happy. Follow the package directions and you won't have any problems. People only run into trouble when they adopt a "more is better" mentality and overdose their plants.

July 5, 2006	#5
sirtanon Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Phoenix, AZ (zone 9b) Posts: 796	I've used the blue stuff (MG as well as others) for years. IMHO, it's a good way to give your plants a boost when they need it, as well as giving them a good start as little babies. When you're planting out, be it garden or container, you ALWAYS want to start with healthy, well-amended soil, but for those times when the plant is really pulling nutrients, such as heavy flowering, fruit set, etc.. adding a dose of Miracle Gro can give them the extra kick they need. I'll compare it to Gatorade for people.. Many athletes swear by the stuff when they're working out hard, but none of them would DARE substitute Gatorade for proper meals. You still have to have your regular nutrition(garden soil) even though you might get the extra kick from the Gatorade(Miracle Grow) now and again. So go ahead and use the MG, it will help, but I suggest you go with a lighter dose of the stuff rather than a heavier dose of the stuff.