JOIN NOW LOG IN
iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs Forums Photo Galleries Ask The Experts Tools & Directories        
Return to the Tropicalesque Garden Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
Don't know what fertilizer to use

Posted by swmcduff 8/Portland, OR (My Page) on
Wed, May 12, 04 at 17:18

On the bottom of my post, I put a partial list of the plants in my yard (not all Tropicalesque). I'm trying to figure out what type of organic fertilizer to use for these plants. I've looked all over the internet for a simple list of what fertilizer to use for each type of plant (ie 20-20-20 for banana, 6-5-3 for palms, etc). I can't find such a list. I tried to create my own list by searching websites & forums, but everyone always has a different opinion. I've probably found 10 different suggestions on fertilizer for the Basjoo Banana alone. I don't think I ever found the same answer twice.

If anyone knows of a list; would like to provide a list; or would just like to give me a suggestion on what to use, I would appreciate it. I'm not lazy, so I don't mind spreading 6 or 7 different fertilizers if it'll make the plants perform better than just a generic all-purpose fertilizer.

Here's what I have:
Asiatic Lillies, Azalia, Bamboo, Basjoo Banana, Birds of Paradise, Calla, Cannas, Clematis, Day Lillies, Evergreen shade plants too numerous to name (like Hosta, Tazmanian Tree Ferns, ornamental grasses, ferns, etc), Fox Tail Lillies, Ginger, Gladiolas, Japanese Maples, Mexican Fan Palms, Stargazer Lillies, Vinca & Wysteria


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: Don't know what fertilizer to use

Hi,

I have never bought into the whole speciality fertilizer thing. I use PETERS or GREEN LIGHT (Lowe's)- never had any problems, if you don't believe me check out my results!

Boca Joe

Here is a link that might be useful: Boca Joe's Tropicals


 o
RE: Don't know what fertilizer to use

Pretty cool yard Boca Joe. I'm surprised a lot of that grows in Maryland.

Maybe I'll just try the one fertilizer fits all scenario. I do have a couple of so-called All-Purpose fertilizers. One is 20-20-20, one is 18-18-18 and one is 5-5-5. Which one should I use? Does it matter? There must be a reason why someone would use a 5-5-5 instead of a 20-20-20.

Where did you get that God of Tropicals statue? I have a Tiki Bar in my back yard that would go well with one of those.

Thanks,
Brian


 o
RE: Don't know what fertilizer to use

Which one should I use? Does it matter? There must be a reason why someone would use a 5-5-5 instead of a 20-20-20.

4 lbs of 5-5-5 would do the same as 1 lb of 20-20-20

The numbers are percentages of the nutrient by weight.

100 lbs of 5-5-5 would have 5lbs of N 5lbs of P and 5lbs of K


 
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network