Discussion forum for environmentally-friendly alternatives to replace synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stow, Ohio
Posts: 41
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A man here in this area has a weekly gardening show on the radio and this week he advised everyone to apply Ozmacote and use Miricle Gro as a folilar spray to give tomatos & vegatables a boost because we have had a bad growing season so far with too much rain causing many to be late on planting. I have never used Ozmacote and only use organic fertilizer, Just wondering if anyone does this or has an opinion on this method.
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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I used Osmocote when I was practicing the synthetic route, it's an effective time release fert.. I used miracle gro with a tbs of epsom salt in those days as well, but never as a foliar feed.. You'd be asking for burn, although it is doable, but not necessary.. IF I were going to use it as a foliar I'd go with 1/2 strength at the very most, and spray before sun-up to give them time to dry before the sun hits them.. But again, not necessary IMO.. Hope this helps..
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#3 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
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The concept though is certainly valid. Want plants to grow faster? Fertilize them. Excess rain has the tendency to leach water soluble nutrients from the soil making early growth slow. Fertilizer fixes this short term, and a slow release fertilizer for later in the growing season. The idea you have to specifically use Miracle grow and osmacote instead of any number of alternatives though? Completely woo. They likely simply were the brands that sponsored the radio show. Sure they work, but so do a gazzillion other products, both conventional and organic.
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Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stow, Ohio
Posts: 41
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Maybe I should have posed that question differently I suppose, As I said I don't use chemicals myself and don't intend to, only organic. I guess the better question would be what would you use instead or do you agree with the radio host. I don't. I use various organic fertilizers including Tomato Tone, rock dust and others, fish emulsion & liquid sea weed as folliar sprays. Just interested in hearing other gardeners opinions on the subject .Thanks
Last edited by silverseed; July 6, 2015 at 01:32 PM. |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
Posts: 2,466
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The liquid fish and seaweed is just fine and effective for a foliar.
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#6 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,488
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__________________
Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture |
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#7 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CT
Posts: 290
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![]() ![]() Pick up the book "Teaming With Microbes" if you haven't read it already... You won't regret it http://www.amazon.com/Teaming-Microb...+with+microbes |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Downingtown, PA
Posts: 337
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well aerated compost tea with kelp and sea minerals, i top dressed my soil with glacial rock dust before applying the foliar tea and drench to give some added minerals. a week later I used a pure protein a 100% hydrolized fish protein. I am a noob. and my weather here in PA has been pretty bad and my plants look happy and are producing
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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I use those two fertilizers for container plants, but not for plants in the ground. Osmocote is too expensive to use on a large area.
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#10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,931
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I use a combo of slow release and miracle grow on co trainers and baskets of flowers. It's a great combo for those things. I don't use it on edibles but recommend the two for flowers.
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#11 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 857
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Foliars are like a set of commands to the plant. It could be very useful. But it should be done right. Just taking something and applying to the leaves is asking for a problems.
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 76
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Chicago IL
Posts: 857
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Absolutely. You can send plant into growth phase or production phase with different foliar combos.
Overall foliar spray can add to nutrition but is not main way to feed. It is rather like adding salt to your food. Without it food just taste bland but it takes very little to bring up flavors. But it has to be done right. Just taking liquid MG product and applying it as foliar does not cut it. |
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 76
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Another topic to research. DH laughs at all the time I spend reading about growing tomatoes It keeps me out of trouble.
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