View Full Version : Fertilizer
Lrogers37
04-30-2016, 07:54 AM
Where can I get 6-2-12? Or. How can I make it? Thanks. Les
Botanical_Bryce
04-30-2016, 09:55 AM
Just get some potassium sulfate if you want to up it.
merce3
04-30-2016, 12:45 PM
Where can I get 6-2-12? Or. How can I make it? Thanks. Les
where are you located? diamond r sells a 6-3-16 that is close to what you are looking for. they are based out of FL. also, Richard on the forum has a similar product that is available in water-soluble. i have used both and they work great for me.
Lrogers37
05-03-2016, 09:29 AM
i just found this 6-2-12 on the web. seems pretty expensive, though. $25 for 5lbs. http://stokestropicals.plants.com/Stokes-Tropicals-Banana-Fertilizer-P275.aspx
merce3
05-03-2016, 11:56 AM
i just found this 6-2-12 on the web. seems pretty expensive, though. $25 for 5lbs. Stokes Tropicals Banana Fertilizer (http://stokestropicals.plants.com/Stokes-Tropicals-Banana-Fertilizer-P275.aspx)
hopefully that's a typo and it's 25lbs for $5. i spend under $20 for a 50 lb bag for diamond r 6-3-16.
Worm_Farmer
05-03-2016, 02:55 PM
For that price, id go to Richard!
merce3
05-03-2016, 05:05 PM
For that price, id go to Richard!
+1
For that price, id go to Richard!Hurry! I read his site and it seems he's closing down sales/operations. If that's not the case, I hope he corrects me. Pronto.
Richard
05-03-2016, 10:21 PM
Hurry! I read his site and it seems he's closing down sales/operations. If that's not the case, I hope he corrects me. Pronto.
My site is closed. Someone else will likely offer Fruit Fuel it in a month or two.
Worm_Farmer
05-05-2016, 03:34 PM
My site is closed. Someone else will likely offer Fruit Fuel it in a month or two.
Sorry to hear this!
Can always order from Kelp for Less. There is a lot of option here.
Mark Dragt
05-05-2016, 11:25 PM
My site is closed. Someone else will likely offer Fruit Fuel it in a month or two.
Congrats on the retirement Richard. I hope it's long and enjoyable.
Now that everyday is a Saturday, will we see new updated pictures of that new backyard you put in?
Richard
05-06-2016, 07:08 PM
Congrats on the retirement Richard. I hope it's long and enjoyable.
Now that everyday is a Saturday, will we see new updated pictures of that new backyard you put in?
Phase II of renovation begins the end of July. :)
Kegas76
05-06-2016, 09:33 PM
Would 8-2-12 work for you?
HD has BGI-Palmgain $15 for 10lbs which appears to be a lot cheaper than anywhere else.
BGI 10 lb. Palm Fertilizer-FPALM10 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/BGI/203029591)
Richard
05-08-2016, 01:14 AM
Would 8-2-12 work for you?
HD has BGI-Palmgain $15 for 10lbs which appears to be a lot cheaper than anywhere else.
BGI 10 lb. Palm Fertilizer-FPALM10 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/BGI/203029591)
I'm not so sure that a fertilizer with such a high Calcium content is a good idea in central- and south-Florida soils.
Jamie p
05-08-2016, 09:37 AM
I really do like that Banana Fuel!! It's from wellspring gardens. I've had great success wuth it so far.
Richard
05-08-2016, 03:27 PM
I really do like that Banana Fuel!! It's from wellspring gardens. I've had great success wuth it so far.
What are they selling as "Banana Fuel" these days?
Worm_Farmer
05-08-2016, 06:09 PM
What are they selling as "Banana Fuel" these days?
15-5-30 Premium Water Soluble Fertilizer w/minor elements
Richard
05-08-2016, 06:25 PM
15-5-30 Premium Water Soluble Fertilizer w/minor elements
You know, that's a standard fertilizer used mid-stage for sugar beets, etc. and some legumes. I see they've repackaged it at $10 per 2 lbs. An agricultural supplier (e.g., Crop Production Services) will sell it to you at $12 per 5 lbs or $35 per 25 Lbs in the manufacturer's original bag.
sputinc7
05-08-2016, 08:22 PM
Where can I find a good source of potassium that is organic?
Richard
05-08-2016, 08:37 PM
Where can I find a good source of potassium that is organic?
"organic" -- are you referring to "USDA NOP certified", or "natural", or ???
Worm_Farmer
05-08-2016, 09:39 PM
I forgot, but I thought there was an easy / cheap source of 0-0-30. Then we can sub the rest with compost and Fishmeal
sputinc7
05-08-2016, 09:53 PM
Just natural, not chemical. Chemical fertilizers are like drugs for plants. When they run out they have nasty withdrawal because there is no half life, and organically grown foods usually have a better flavor. Not to mention the unknown chemicals in chemical fertilizers. I try to grow things as organic as possible... Best I have found is potash. 2 kinds. One with chlorine, one without. The one without sounds better, as the microscopic beings are very good for plants.
Richard
05-09-2016, 12:20 AM
... Not to mention the unknown chemicals in chemical fertilizers. ...
You're really confused.
sputinc7
05-09-2016, 08:52 AM
Not confused. Maybe a bit nutty, though.
I am talking about by products, things that are not good for you mixed in either as part of the process of producing the chemicals or from the initial ingredients. (Such an human waste sludge being a source, sometimes. Think of all the chemicals we flush and dump down our drains.) Are the chemicals in Miracle Gro naturally occurring? I have never seen a Miracle Gro bush or tree. The chemical forms found in those are usually not the ones found in nature, thus the name "chemical fertilizers"
Compost, manure, blood and bone meal, etc. Things that occur naturally, with all the scores of natural micronutrients and microscopic life forms which the plant does better with and which chemical fertilizers lack.
My thinking is this: "Organic is better. So I do it that way whenever I can." At least on my food crops.
Botanical_Bryce
05-09-2016, 10:41 AM
Chemical fertilizers are mineral salts. Well water can have the same salts in it. Certain beneficial nitrogen fixing microbes actually respond positive to mineral salts. Some organic methods contain arsenic so in cultivation there is no magic solution. When working depleted soils proper management practice can be good for environment and human health. Fulvic acid and humates are a chemical fertilizer that increases bioactivity and can be used on foliage. I use heavy mulch and biochar mainly. I have no problem using chemical fertilizers after I have done my product reasearch. If I need to do so I go back later with innoculants.
Lrogers37
05-12-2016, 02:01 PM
THANKS!! DiamondR is the place. 50lbs for less than $20 including the tax. I got some fert for my mangoes while I was there. That was $12 and change. If you live close to FtPierce. Go to Diamond R. Bonus was the vine ripe cantaloupes sold next to the road close by for $1 each.
Thanks for the DiamondR recommendation.
merce3
05-12-2016, 02:22 PM
What formula did you get for your mangoes?
Lrogers37
05-12-2016, 06:07 PM
8-4-8. Recommended by 2 folks at DiamondR
merce3
05-12-2016, 06:18 PM
8-4-8. Recommended by 2 folks at DiamondR
Hmmm... I go with 8-3-9 per recommendations for south FL fruit tree growers but that is almost the same as 8-4-8. I wonder if there is any difference other than the slight ratio difference. Anyway I have been really happy with their stuff and the folks are really cool and know what they're talking about since they serve mostly commercial growers.
sputinc7
05-14-2016, 02:31 PM
OK. Got me 5 lb potassium sulphate. No directions on how much or how often anywhere, so I again turn to the experts on here... Help, please... :-D
Jamie p
05-14-2016, 04:33 PM
Not sure on potassium alone , but there is a product called Sul po mag . I like to sprinkle a small handful around the base of my plants and they seem to love it. I would be gentle with potassium alone.
scottu
05-14-2016, 05:27 PM
Richard,
You had this mess all taken care of,
all we had to do was order more banana fuel and go to bed peacefully with no worries.
Now it all starts again!
I Guess we need to figure it out for ourselves after all!
your path will be followed, or at least wandered!
Enjoy your well earned peaceful slumber into the night!
Thanks
Scottu
sputinc7
05-14-2016, 08:18 PM
I use a lot of compost and manure, so no worries on not enough other nutrients. My biggest worry is it's water solubility and how quickly daily watering will push it past the root zone. The best application instructions I could find was to put 300-500 kg per hectare per year for bananas. Way more than all the other plants listed. I went easy on it the first time, just in case, but wanted to ask here to be safe... For instance, my Brazilian mat has 4 major PS growing with a few small pups. I put about 4-5 tablespoons around it and lightly watered it in...I guess I will find out.
Worm_Farmer
05-16-2016, 09:57 PM
I prefer, granular fertilizer! I hate staining my hands or pants blue. And I hate having to remember to do it every week. Just throw down a few cups and worry later.
sputinc7
05-16-2016, 10:55 PM
This is a white powder. Dissolves quickly. Says it is 0-0-60.
Caline
05-18-2016, 03:48 PM
i just found this 6-2-12 on the web. seems pretty expensive, though. $25 for 5lbs. Stokes Tropicals Banana Fertilizer (http://stokestropicals.plants.com/Stokes-Tropicals-Banana-Fertilizer-P275.aspx)
That's the one I got. It has the ratio recommended by U of Florida extension for banana growing and follows their recommendation to use slow release fertilizer.
Richard
05-20-2016, 12:43 AM
That's the one I got. It has the ratio recommended by U of Florida extension for banana growing and follows their recommendation to use slow release fertilizer.
For use in the Florida peninsula. Elsewhere in the continental U.S. it is not a good recommendation.
Island Brah
07-11-2016, 07:34 PM
For use in the Florida peninsula. Elsewhere in the continental U.S. it is not a good recommendation.
Richard,
I know you are retired but hopefully you can answer one question for me please. I live in the atlanta area. What fertilizer do you recommend? Your Fruit Fuel or something else?
I've already sent Crazy Banana a PM about purchasing some of your Fruit Fuel.
Thanks so much for your help!!
RoundRockMan
03-04-2017, 03:55 PM
What would be the best fertilizer/ratio for Texas? I will have in-ground & large pots. Any other Texas growers in the Austin area?
edwmax
03-04-2017, 04:28 PM
What would be the best fertilizer/ratio for Texas? I will have in-ground & large pots. Any other Texas growers in the Austin area?
Look at the forum WiKi above for info on Fertilizer. Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Info:Fertilizer)
Knowing mature plants need 1 lb of nitrogen and 1.5 lbs potassium, it is easy to calculate how much fertilizer is needed when knowing the NPK. Example, 10-10-10 fertilizer: 1 lb/10% = 10lbs (nitrogen & potassium) plus a supplement of 3/4 to 1 lb (.5 lb/ %) of potassium sulphate. Divided thru the growing session.
Now you have grown banana plants in pots (???) or just young plants? Young plants need 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of fertilizer as that of mature plants.
Now you can use what ever fertilizer that is on sale or estimated the quantities of manure or compost to use.
Tytaylor77
03-04-2017, 09:07 PM
I get my fertilizer in bulk at my local feed store. 50lb bags of urea is about $12. Other nitrogen is a little more. If you use urea water it in good so you don't loose a lot to gas. Potassium 50lb bags are about $15 called mutate of potash. Be careful if you have clay I hear it hardens the soil. Does great in my sand. If you don't have sand I would use the more expensive sulfate of potash. Go very easy then put more it's so easy to overfertalize with these strong %s.
I never ever use fertilizer on plants younger than 4' or so. Depending on the variety. I only give them manure and compost.
That's what I do. I have a lot of plants in the ground and don't believe expensive products or methods are nessarry. And I think I have been very successful for my zone.
Good luck.
Starstryke
03-05-2017, 01:11 AM
I have started using Stokes Tropical time release banana fertilizer on my bananas. Hasn't hurt anything so far but we will see when the weather warms up a bit.
Caline
03-05-2017, 09:23 PM
I have started using Stokes Tropical time release banana fertilizer on my bananas. Hasn't hurt anything so far but we will see when the weather warms up a bit.
I use Stokes slow release also. In addition I put BlackKow composted manure and Florimulch on my sandy island soil.
aruzinsky
03-06-2017, 09:14 AM
Just natural, not chemical. Chemical fertilizers are like drugs for plants. When they run out they have nasty withdrawal because there is no half life, and organically grown foods usually have a better flavor. Not to mention the unknown chemicals in chemical fertilizers. I try to grow things as organic as possible... Best I have found is potash. 2 kinds. One with chlorine, one without. The one without sounds better, as the microscopic beings are very good for plants.
"Chemical" and "natural" are not mutually exclusive. You can buy potassium nitrate that is mined and, as such, it is a natural chemical.
aruzinsky
03-06-2017, 10:03 AM
Where can I get 6-2-12? Or. How can I make it? Thanks. Les
I could tell you how to make it but it involves a lot of algebra. The individual components can be bought at a reasonable price here:
https://hydro-gardens.com/product-category/fertilizers/
But, you should worry more about macro (Ca, S, Mg) and minor (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo) elements than the exact N-P-K. When you consider the work that it takes to add macro and minor elements, you are better off buying a complete mix such as this one:
https://hydro-gardens.com/product/hobby-formula-25lbs-bag-10-8-22/
I have used an older version of this (the formula has changed) for years with excellent results.
Another fertilizer that is very good is this:
Peters Excel 15-5-15 Cal-Mag Fertilizer, 25# Bag - Water Soluble Fertilizers | Greenhouse Megastore (http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/peters-excel-15-5-15-cal-mag-fertilizer-25-bag/water-soluble-fertilizers)
My cannas. which are musa relatives, have grown better with this fertilizer than any other fertilizer that I have tried.
Usually the price per pound of fertilizer goes way up for smaller quantities but a small quantity of this fertilizer is relatively cheap:
Dyna Gro Foliage Pro 9-3-6 8oz Fertilizer Plant Food Nutrients | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dyna-Gro-Foliage-Pro-9-3-6-8oz-Fertilizer-Plant-Food-Nutrients-/280535675150?hash=item41513ab10e:g:ML0AAOSwImRYd6rQ)
Again, this is a very good fertilizer with complete macro and minor elements but larger quantities have a higher price per pound than the other aforementioned fertilizers.
RoundRockMan
03-06-2017, 11:36 AM
This morning I went to our local Feed & Supply Store and talked with the fertilizer expert there. He suggested to use 50# of 18-10-5 and add 30# of 0-0-60. This would give me a ratio of 6-3-12. He had a good time and enjoyed figuring this out for me. He was really helpful. Maybe this will help someone else out.
aruzinsky
03-06-2017, 03:51 PM
This morning I went to our local Feed & Supply Store and talked with the fertilizer expert there. He suggested to use 50# of 18-10-5 and add 30# of 0-0-60. This would give me a ratio of 6-3-12. He had a good time and enjoyed figuring this out for me. He was really helpful. Maybe this will help someone else out.
No, that would give you 11.25-6.25-25.625.
N = 50/(50+30) * 18 = 11.25
P = 50/(50+30) * 10 = 6.25
K = 50/(50+30) * 5 + 30/(50+30) * 60 = 25.625
RoundRockMan
03-06-2017, 05:41 PM
No, that would give you 11.25-6.25-25.625.
N = 50/(50+30) * 18 = 11.25
P = 50/(50+30) * 10 = 6.25
K = 50/(50+30) * 5 + 30/(50+30) * 60 = 25.625
Then what combination I would need starting with the base of 18-10-5? With adding 0-0-60?
edwmax
03-06-2017, 07:11 PM
One mature Banana plant needs 1 lb of nitrogen and 1.5 lb potassium total for the year. This to be applied during the growing season. The mature plant needs very little to no phosphorus (P).
Using 18-10-5:
Nitrogen = 1 lb /.18 = 5.56 lbs for the growing season. Divide this by the number of applications.
Potassium: The same 5.56 lbs of 18-10-5 will supply (5.56 X .05) .225 lbs of potassium. You need additional potassium from the 0-0-60 (potassium sulphate ?). !.5 lbs - ,225 lbs = 1.28 lbs potassium needed; 1.28 lbs / .60 = 2.13 lbs of the 0-0-60 total for the growing season.
So the total 18-10-5 for the growing season is 5.6 lbs; and 2.2 lbs of 0-0-60 (** rounding up this small amount will not hurt)
aruzinsky
03-06-2017, 07:13 PM
Then what combination I would need starting with the base of 18-10-5? With adding 0-0-60?
You can't get 6-3-12 or the OP's 6-2-12 with just those two ingredients because the ratio N/P = 18/10 = 1.8 is fixed whereas you want N/P = 6/3 = 2.0 and the OP wants N/P = 6/2 = 3.
But suppose you also add urea 46-0-0 as follows:
2.67% (46-0-0)
61.47% (18-10-5)
35.86% (0-0-60)
That combination would be 12.3 - 6.15 - 24.6 which is in the ratios, 2:1:4 that you want, although more concentrated.
aruzinsky
03-07-2017, 09:01 AM
This morning I went to our local Feed & Supply Store and talked with the fertilizer expert there. He suggested to use 50# of 18-10-5 and add 30# of 0-0-60. This would give me a ratio of 6-3-12. He had a good time and enjoyed figuring this out for me. He was really helpful. Maybe this will help someone else out.
On further thought, I have come to the conclusion that your feed store employee's recommendation is practically close enough. I apologize for my previous unnecessary comments.
Tytaylor77
03-07-2017, 02:04 PM
No, that would give you 11.25-6.25-25.625.
N = 50/(50+30) * 18 = 11.25
P = 50/(50+30) * 10 = 6.25
K = 50/(50+30) * 5 + 30/(50+30) * 60 = 25.625
11.25-6.25-25.625
This is fine. It doesn't have to be exact. You will loose some due to gas loss and other ways so don't overthink it. Also consider how much compost and other organic matter you are feeding them. They are also getting some from your natural soil.
Don't let it stress you out and always start slow and build up so you don't burn the plants. Especially when small.
Tytaylor77
03-07-2017, 02:07 PM
On further thought, I have come to the conclusion that your feed store employee's recommendation is practically close enough. I apologize for my previous unnecessary comments.
Sorry didn't see this. Thanks for your posts though.
sputinc7
03-08-2017, 08:33 AM
No, that would give you 11.25-6.25-25.625.
N = 50/(50+30) * 18 = 11.25
P = 50/(50+30) * 10 = 6.25
K = 50/(50+30) * 5 + 30/(50+30) * 60 = 25.625
That comes out very close to the ratio he was going for. Fertilizing bananas isn't rocket science. Getting that close will do fine. You just use half as much as the 6.3.12 he was going for.
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