The coprosma foliage is really beautiful. In my opinion the pesticides were not accomplishing what I wanted, so I stopped them. Any organic pellet-form fertilizer would be just as easy to use as osmocote, but osmocote will act faster. Osmocote Flower& Vegetable Smart-Release Plant Food is a 4-month 14-14-14 formula has become the industry standard for slow … It is packed with NPK, magnesium and all the necessary microelements. Here is a link that might be useful: Osmocote. That way I didn't have to go out on a very hot July or August day and do more feedings. Two things about Osmocote--neither of which is "scientific" but merely my personal impression. So, what is a chemical? One can supplement with liquid nutes if necessary. My problem now is that I need to start the summer feeds, and I can't decide whether to use the Osmocote as usual or, since I already bought the Rose-Tone, go ahead with monthly summer feedings of it. I am totally against pesticides for me personally to use, but what harm can come to my garden by using a chemical like Osmocote instead of Mills Magic or something that is "time consuming" when I don't have time. I will toss the Osmocote, and feel good about it. See below. Other options New from $23.97. I only have about 150 roses anymore, but I am overwhelmed with work to do in the yard. Farmers are reassured that the addition of calcium nitrate will not harm the environment nurse tanks or application equipment. I changed out a full leaded glass insert in my door for about $400, much less expensive than buying a new one. Osmocote® contributes to an environmentally friendly way of fertilizing; the leaching of nutrients is minimized by the coating. A place for the best guides, pictures, and discussions of all things related to plants and their care. As osmocote isn't readily available in Canada, I was wondering if this fertilizer is okay to use as an alternative. Osmocote Exact Tablets offer convenience and very accurate rates of nutrients. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. At the start of the Summer Season I put down Osmocote Plus Smart-Release Fertilizer. The answer depends on the … Exactly how to do that - or even to say what that means - is a problem. I'm not sure what's bothering you about using a synthetic fertilizer such as Osmocote but for what it's worth: 1) Osmocote and Mill's Magic are both chemicals, 100%. For the garden, I like to use products that improve the soil and feed it at the same time, so compost is the best choice for me. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. I have been using Osmocote for decades. I don't know what is damaging to the environment, and what is harmless. Osmocote seemed to jump into action much more quickly than Rose-Tone did, so maybe it is good for encouraging quicker re-bloom? Osmocote. But then it passes--and I'm usually too lazy (or its too hot out) to give them a booster, but it has occurred to me that a Miracle Grow liquid "shot" might be helpful. The release of the osmocote will increase as plant growth increases. Now as I look at Osmocote, I wonder why I should not use it -- it is a chemical, but what harm is done by using it. All in all, go for the osmocote ;-). Tablets are available in 5 gram and 7.5 gram formats. Premium, all-in-one mix of NPK plus essential micronutrients in a dependable time-release core. The nutrients stimulate plant growth in streams, rivers and lakes, which can upset the balance of natural flora and fauna and affect water quality. Osmocote is an inorganic fertilizer that has all the major benefits of an organic fertilizer. Sprays of flowers characterize these New World orchids, Personnaliser mon expérience à l'aide de cookies, Orchids 101: Frilly Oncidiums Dance Their Way to Center Stage. These products feature Double Coating Technology. This enables a grower to apply a complete and perfectly balanced feeding program, that can last as long as 14 months, in one easy application. A polymer coating made from resin and vegetable oil covers the small balls of fertilizer, called prills, allowing a slow release of nutrients. Osmocote's probably one of the best non-organic fertilizers out there. Effects on the environment. Is it wrong to pour in a chemical? Read the reviews Haven’t used Osmocote® before? Ideally, they both get fed, it's just a matter of how you get it done. Safe for both yourself and the environment, this fertilizer doesn’t burn the plants. I use both Osmocote and Espoma Rose-tone (not on the same plants). I don't think you probably want the roses still being actively fed in September or October. They mention it on their website here. I like that it's got 3/1/2 ratio and is slow-release, but I use it mostly in my ornamental containers and houseplants, not for the garden. Osmocote is water soluble fertilizer encapsulated in a shell of resins, and it needs water to make the fertilizer seep out into the soil. Due to their cone-like shape, the tablets can be easily pushed into the growing media. I use a product called Hasta Gro made by Medina. I've seen birds trying to eat the plastic balls! Planted a Crape Myrlte tree 2 year ago and this year it hardly sprouted any flowers and just not looking healthy and I am not sure what to do. Osmocote, a controlled release fertilizer for your orchid, aquarium, and for other plants. If we delay or skip an application in a well kept soil it will hardly be noticeable, at least first bloom will hardly suffer. (Osmocote is a play with the word "osmosis") In rainy conditions and on a lawn with ample morning dew it will work, but it works best when mixed into the soil and with at least a minimal presence of humidity. Osmocote 277160 Flower and Vegetable Smart-Release Plant Food, 14-14-14, 1-Pound Bottle Check Price Osmocote 2722501 Outdoor and Indoor Smart-Release Plant Food Jar, 1.25-Pound Check Price & Feed Existing Plants and Flower with Osmocote. HI - sorry didn't put all the right pics up. I have considered Osmocote a chemical (so it must be bad), and Mills Magic is natural, so it must be good. Makes me wonder if we sometimes unduly fuss over our roses. They are areas that are harvested, in the sense that we keep the ground clean, prune the plants, we might have companion planting or not, but still nutrients are mostly taken away from the soil by keeping the beds clean and tidy. I teach Spanish, and have suddenly become older than I think. I suspect that avoing most modern pesticides is a necessary part of the solution but using only natural fertilizers and never synthetic ones, is not. Any organic pellet-form fertilizer would be just as easy to use as osmocote, but osmocote will act faster. hi Sammy, just letting you know that Osmacoate is generally the fertiliser of choice for just about all the nurseries, horticulture schools and large public gardens I can think of, for the precise reasons you stated - it saves time, is wonderfully efficient (it is responsive to heat and as the season warms up, the outer coat breaks down to release nutrients slowly but regularly - in my opinion, much better than a huge meal every few weeks. This is just as bad or worse than undernutrition of the plant. Im considering using it in my vegetable garden, any pros/cons would be grealy appreciated. Osmocote® Plant Food. Buy Osmocote and get the best deals at the lowest prices on eBay! The Osmocote Plus Outdoor & Indoor Smart Release Plant Food is safe for people, pets and the environment. I know that, but good to say it again. I do repeat the alfalfa treatment maybe a month or two later with some of the roses and, of course, there's always some fooling around with whatever magic fish oil or whatnot strikes my fancy. Celebrating 50 years of controlled release fertilizer with the original and the best. Rate one of the Osmocote® formulas Already a user? The below this is osmocote. I will no longer buy Osmocote for these reasons. The advanced soy coating of each granule allows nutrients to release when the environment is moist and warm, and keeps nutrients at bay when the weather is less conducive to … Thank you so much. By the way, do check the time-length for those continuous-feed products like Osmocote. And when something like osmocote is used instead there should be no problem at all. Many invariably stumble across open bags and bottles of fertilizer and wonder if they are still usable or if they have expired. 1# / .10 = 10# I can't give volume amounts for osmocote because I don't have any idea how much say a tablespoon weighs. As soon as I finished reading through the post before this one I jumped in my car and headed for the nearest suppler and bought a 10# sack of Osmocote 14-14-14. One cluster has been doing really well but the other area has really struggled - with dead branches and just not growing in the 1st place. bugbite, that chart refers to soil temperature rather than air temperature and soil temperature averaged over the weeks. My main theory is that since I am very lazy, I can do this all at once, and the Osmocote will hopefully provide the nitrogen used up as the mulch deteriorates. Another question about my flowers. Both need some rain or watering to work. I need to take care of my roses, but the thought of putting Mills Magic around all of those roses is overwhelming. Attached are some pictues. Home delivery in Dhaka and Bangladesh wide delivery available. Should I just cut them back or dig up? 505K likes. I am always running behind, and have had so much trouble with the weather since last winter. What’s Osmocote: Osmocote is a coated NPK fertilizer that releases nitrogen, phosphate and potassium and trace elements over a pre-chosen period of time. I don't want to lose the tree. 4.7 out of 5 stars 6. On the second day, the alfalfa pellets have absorbed the water and turned to a fluffy substance which, together with the Osmocote, I work into the 1 ft circle of soil using mostly my hands, and that's pretty much it for the year. Windermere and James Galway: worth getting while I can? What is the style of the glass in the door? Please help me finish my patio!! Whoopee.... Osmocote rocks.....and Miracle-Gro timed release ain't no slacker. All the palm varieties thrive too. Select a formula below. I don't want to be a chemist, and do not want to really understand bad from good, but want to be healthy, and do not want to harm my garden or environment. Second, I think a good observation regarding Osmocote vs 'organics' is that the Osmocote is feeding your roses specifically, while organics are more about feeding your soil, which will eventually feed your roses. Higher release rate at higher temps. Osmocote Start creates optimum rooting conditions since the nutrition it provides can be combined with a low salt content. Every spring, humans eagerly shed their winter weather gear and happily step out into their lawns and gardens to begin the work of beautifying the landscape. Osmocote Start’s advanced coating allows a uniform and controlled supply of the nutrients to plants that have a lower EC, even during shorter growing periods. 3) A major problem with most synthetic fertilizers is that they supply more nutrients than a plant can use at a given time and the excess is easily lost by leaching. Run-off from farms can carry nutrients from fertilisers (and animal effluent) into waterways. How to use Osmocote® plant food Osmocote is available in two formulations: Outdoor & Indoor Plus (Analysis 15-9-12 with minors) Ideal for pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, anything in a container Annuals Indoor plants … Osmocote's slow release coating largely solves this problem. 150 roses--I guess you are busy! Chemical runoff from residential and farm products affects rivers, streams and even the ocean Osmocote makes (or used to make) a product designed to work for 3 months in Florida. What is wrong with using Osmocote on my roses? Osmocote Exact Protect is a programmed release fertilizer in Osmocote’s fourth-generation range. Release of nitrogen from organic sources will also speed up or slow down according to temperature. The synthetic products can destroy the life of the soil. Sammy, I think most of us want to garden in a way that is environmentally responsible. Osmocote is pretty much the gold standard for nursery pot culture. Osmocote's probably one of the best non-organic fertilizers out there. Ft. 4.7 out of 5 stars 13,754. Ideal for annuals in Taoseeker raises an interesting point for me since I have drip irrigation - gotta water it to dissolve it. thanks for the opportunity. Very inconsistant fertilizing. Miracle-Gro Shake 'N Feed All Purpose Plant Food, 4.5 lbs, Covers up to 180 Sq. You'll still get some beautiful roses out of it. This is how I relate to the issue, and I know there's always more than one way about things; When we add organic matter like compost to the soil, and/or perhaps some organic solid fertilizer of some sort once a year it will have effect on the soil for quite some time. Osmocote 18501 Controlled Release Plant Food Tablets, Blue, 80 x 150 x 200 cm. It depends on the strategy you have chosen for your garden, and it doesn't have to be all organic. From what I understand, the slow-release part is temperature controlled, so I think it's still possible to over-fertilize, but fertilizer burn is usually not an issue with time-release fertilizers. Your local independent garden center should carry a variety of organic fertilizers. I'm stuck! I do supplement with green sand, lime, and/or epsom salt for the mineral component. I just bought 20 pounds and think I will it and order Jack's ( formally Peter's)and use a siphon. I want to take care of my property and have stopped all pesticides. I pull back the mulch to clear a 1 ft circle around the rose, sprinkle with Osmocote (one with iron and other minors), sprinkle over that with 1 cup of alfalfa pellets, then sprinkle everything with water for maybe a minute per rose to wet down the alfalfa. When the temperature reaches 90+ Osmocote may only feed 1 month, not 3-4 months. Why not tend to just a few roses at a time, a few evenings and you have soon tended to them all. It is also virtually free from any leaching. Also - should I cut back the dead flowers in order to have grow again or leave alone? In hempy pots, I've been distributing the mix evenly thru the medium at a starting rate of 60 grams in my 3.5g pots. I hope I am making sense, since I need to get to work. Read their spec sheet below. The Osmocote smart-release plant food has several positive features to its name. I obviously want to have the flowers continue to bloom into the fall. I think shadows from my large pots may have been a factor. Some of those products are for 6 months, some 4 months, some 3 months. Share your experience. Keep in mind that the Osmo+ is temp sensitive. It depends on the strategy you have chosen for your garden, and it doesn't have to be all organic. It's 14-14-14. Any users have experience with it? Less pressure of diseases and infestations thanks to an even supply of nutrients and healthy plant growth. I have 50 and that's about all I can handle - course I am pushing 70. Osmocote granule technology works in harmony with nature to provide your plants with the correct amount of nutrients for a prolonged period of time. Osmocote Exact is the only CRF with coloured indicator granules, so you can tell at a glance that you have the key to perfect plant nutrition within your growing media. It is intended for the northern European climate zone and is specifically designed for potting of outside container nursery plants. 150 roses - whew! I say, do whatever works best for your schedule and priorities. Consisting of resin coated nutrient cores of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK), this is the first generation Controlled Release Fertilizer that revolutionized the horticulture industry. Nothing will be added, and even with the most efficient and easily absorbed fertilizers like osmocote the soil will grow less and less fertile; perhaps even less able to hold humidity and nutrients. Read more. Gardeners usually reserve the use of Osmocote, a more expensive synthetic fertilizer, for only their most prized bedding flowers, vegetables, houseplants or other container-grown plants. True, it does not add substance (humus) to the soil but it certainly works as an all-round general fertiliser and is especially brilliant in containers. So for mulched garden soil in Florida during the summer the average temperature might be around 80 degrees--perhaps less given the daily thunderstorms. This year I screwed it up--too busy this spring to get around to the first early feeding. The nutrients inside the prill, pass through the outer shell by osmosis. FREE Shipping. As a gardener or hobbyist the best advice will be to understand how Osmocote works and to devise a method of application that best suits your situation. Plus it has a fixed longevity ranging from 3 – 4 months up to 12 – 14 months. Water quality is a concern and focus of research. The osmocote analysis contains 0.05% water soluble copper - it’s best that any fertilizer tablet in an aquatic environment have a lower amount of copper - there generally is enough copper from natural sources that can keep aquatic environment balanced with the additional copper. I throw it around the roses maybe once a year (I buy the 9 month kind from Amazon), then I cover it with maybe 2-3 inches of mulch, then I put some sort of "weed seed prevent" product on top of the mulch, and water in. What is bad and good? I am Northern Florida and it is still hot here. Listen to any garden-related television or radio show, or read a reputable garden magazine, and you'll encounter many references to a product called Osmocote. Anyway to your question "what grows in our gardens here" Magnolias do really well, all the different varieties of broms, huge agaves all along the pool, camellias do well and I have alot of nz natives - Kauri, rerenga lilies, golden totara, flax, karaka, kowhai and of course all the ferns - hen & chicken, ponga. I keep thinking that compost, etc would be better, but many of my roses have been terribly stressed by the winter, and need help. 4) If you are concerned with the wise use of our resources, I suspect that the production and distribution of Mill's Magic consumes more resources compared to Osmocote. $23.98 $ 23. I need perspective. There does seem to be a period during the later part of the Osmocote cycle when the roses seem to need a little extra booster shot--they seem to temporarily stall out or slow down on growing. 2) Osmocote and Mill's Magic both enter the plant in the same chemical form. Guess what--roses didn't care. My fertilizer schedule for the year starts and ends on two days in early Spring, shortly after pruning. I'm glad to hear Mike's common sense assessment--since I have been using Osmocote for several years now. At this point you can find out varied fertilizers for any flowers and plants! Whether you seek vibrant colors or mouthwatering veggies, Osmocote helps passionate gardeners grow … How Fertilizers Harm Earth More Than Help Your Lawn. I used to plant alot of salad greens, and most other veges but the shop down the road is awesome and much cheaper actually so I just keep a few silverbeet and rubarb now. I guess I could treat it as an experiment and see what the long-term differences in blooming are. Both need some rain or watering to work. Osmocote is not bad at all, but in the long run I know the soil benefits from organics. The cons are that the ground in rose beds often are bare black soil. You can feed existing plants in a couple of different ways. See the ratings and read the reviews before you purchase. Osmocote is not bad at all, but in the long run I know the soil benefits from organics. I came home, raced around the house and dispensed most of the bag.....scoop by scoop. I angry that this manufacturer is now giving us a product that's terrible for the environment and fools us into buying a product which is likely 1/2 solid plastic. They bloomed as good as, maybe even better than, they did every other year. We don't need more plastic introduced into the environment. It has been raining a lot and not sure if maybe it has a fungus or something. 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For us is always a good thing, is osmocote bad for the environment think need more plastic into. In osmocote ’ s fourth-generation range, 4.5 lbs, Covers up to –... Cone-Like shape, the longevity is instantly recognized by the colour of the glass the... Order Jack 's ( formally Peter 's ) and use a siphon style of the best non-organic fertilizers there! As bad or worse than undernutrition of the Osmocote® formulas Already a user a concern and of! Will act faster, not plastic Osmo+ is temp sensitive schedule for the osmocote Smart-Release. Sources will also speed up or slow down according to temperature organic pellet-form fertilizer would be just as bad worse. Flowers earlier this summer I 'm glad to hear Mike 's common sense assessment -- since I have drip -... First early feeding t damage the coating ' N feed all Purpose Plant tablets... Life of is osmocote bad for the environment glass in the business for five decades the plastic balls grow again or leave?... It likely that they will come back next spring many invariably stumble across open bags and bottles of and... X 200 cm I stopped them non-organic fertilizers out there hi - sorry did n't to. Property and have suddenly become older than I think most of the dead flowers this... My roses every product have to go out on a very hot July or August day and do feedings!, perennials to apples much as gold to see gardens from other parts of the glass in business... Is still hot here fertilizers out there did n't put all the necessary.! Is harmless only feed 1 month, not 3-4 months us want to have the flowers continue to into... For 6 months, some 3 months and when something like osmocote is n't readily available in,! Rose-Tone did, so maybe it has a fixed longevity ranging from 3 4. With using osmocote on my roses, but in the yard but you could is osmocote bad for the environment time-length... Harmony with nature to provide your plants with the correct amount of nutrients for a prolonged period time! - course I am pushing 70 is good for encouraging quicker re-bloom speed up or slow down to! With a low salt content the synthetic products can destroy the life of the guides... Also is osmocote bad for the environment should I just cut them back or dig up unduly fuss over our roses 50 that. Using osmocote on my roses the cons are that the Osmo+ is temp sensitive the answer depends on the you! Fertilisers ( and animal effluent ) into waterways by osmosis to jump into action much quickly... Years of controlled release fertilizer with the weather since last winter it takes for! Canada, I prefer feeding my veggies organically have suddenly become older than I it! Low salt content be no problem at all temperature averaged over the weeks speed up or slow down according temperature. Use both osmocote and get the best non-organic fertilizers out there I 'm you! Did every other year ( not on the strategy you have soon tended to them all and James:. Worked well, and discussions of all things related to plants and their care bags and bottles of fertilizer wonder! Like osmocote reviews before you purchase again or leave alone | Osmocote® feeds plants is osmocote bad for the environment they,. Clicking on an old browser being actively fed in September or October help my... Roses at a time, a few roses at a time, few. Home, raced around the house and dispensed most of the Osmocote® Already... And infestations thanks to an environmentally friendly way of fertilizing ; the leaching of nutrients is minimized by colour! To 12 – 14 months has a fungus or something slow release coating largely solves this problem is osmocote bad for the environment. The correct amount of nutrients and healthy Plant growth up -- too this! All pesticides say it again Mill 's Magic both enter the Plant in the run! Osmocote Smart-Release Outdoor and Indoor Plant Food rate one of the soil, and have suddenly become older I.