Quote:
Originally Posted by tactile2  Hello!!
what would be the BEST fertilizer to give each of my friends a real boost this spring? And when should I apply it?
Thanks so much in advance for your help!!
...I was thinking along the lines of a Florida Dogwood.....any suggestions?
(I'd love it to griow FAST!) |
In your area, mid to late May would be best.
Use organic forms of fertilizer and you'll be better off. If you take care of the soil, the tree will take care of itself.
If possible, remove all of the grass beneath the tree out to the drip line or edge of the canopy. Spread a finished compost 2 inches deep followed by a cover of 2 inches of mulch. You can stop there as you will have recreated what nature has been doing for the last 250+ million years.
Organic forms of fertilizer can be spread on top of the mulch/ compost layer and watered in.
The application of man made forms of nitrogen should be avoided. Fertilization standards for trees come from agronomy - crop science: the act of planting annual plants in the spring and harvesting (killing) in the fall. Trees have an advantage food crops don't have - the ability to store fertilizer and use it for several years as needed.
Many tree companies make small fortunes each year over fertilizing trees and then get to treat all of the problems caused by over fertilization.
You might want to also consider using seaweed extracts (from kelp) and horticultural molasses as well. The kelp will stimulate additional root growth and the molasses will feed the beneficial soil microbes.
Do "Florida dogwoods" grow well in your immediate neighborhood? If so, go for it. If you don't see your neighbors having ridiculous success with it, figure out what they are having good luck with and duplicate that.
Fast growth is necessarily good growth. Fast growing trees expend very little of their resources in the production of defensive chemicals resulting in a short life.
Good luck.