Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Fertilizer - Synthetic vs. Natural
Quick question for the group - Fertilizer. Apart from not being
"green", as is the current fad, are there any long term detrimental effects that the the modern day synthetic fertilizers may cause to rose bushes? I am specifically asking about the Bayer Systemic 2-in-1 fertilizer that protects from bug damage etc. The reason I bring this up is I was recently told by a mail-order rose company that I am in effect reducing the life expectancy of the roses using that type of fertilizer. I am not sure if I necessarily believe that since the product is fairly recent. Also, the concept of green gardening is something I practice for my vegetables since I will ingest them, but since the roses are just for looking good, I am less concerned about the environmentalist pressures that are ever present. Thoughts? Opinions? |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Fertilizer - Synthetic vs. Natural
I've used Bayer products and find them to be of high quality. I don't use
the systemic system, just 'cause I think topical application of insect and fungus/black spot control to be more effective. There are a ton of articles on line providing the pro's and con's for both synthetic (generally petroleum based) and organic fertilizers, including American Rose Society. With 3000 square feet of garden, I find granulated fertilizer an real benefit. Its easy to apply, consistent in its composition, and cost effective. I think the main issues of synthetics from my experience is the salt build-up in the soil (and run-off in the water, if you're not careful), as well as increasing pH. Both have a tendency to decrease the plant's ability to take up the nurturance in the soil. (Martin and Gail, in reference to your "roses are busting out all over" thread, this is why, so I'm told, that they recommend you replace soil when placing a new rose in an old rose site.) There are several products that can reduce salt buildup, including gypsum. It has the additional benefit of clumping clay, so you get better root aeration. In addition, I monitor my soil's pH and adjust it to 6 to 6.5. I also use horse manure based compose, but I find it is not very high in nitrogen. The wood chips used in stalls these days are very high in carbon, which actually leaches nitrogen out of the soil, so I add nitrogen to the pile while I'm composting it. And that's my main concern with most "natural" fertilizers. Its really hard to know how much of what is in it, and it varies from batch to batch. As a result, you can never be sure you're providing all of the substrates the plant requires. (Well, I guess if your plants are big, green, healthy, and full of blooms, you must be doing something right.) Also, if you have a big area, it can get quite costly. Hope this helps Jeff, Southeast Michigan, Zone 5 wrote in message ... Quick question for the group - Fertilizer. Apart from not being "green", as is the current fad, are there any long term detrimental effects that the the modern day synthetic fertilizers may cause to rose bushes? I am specifically asking about the Bayer Systemic 2-in-1 fertilizer that protects from bug damage etc. The reason I bring this up is I was recently told by a mail-order rose company that I am in effect reducing the life expectancy of the roses using that type of fertilizer. I am not sure if I necessarily believe that since the product is fairly recent. Also, the concept of green gardening is something I practice for my vegetables since I will ingest them, but since the roses are just for looking good, I am less concerned about the environmentalist pressures that are ever present. Thoughts? Opinions? |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Fertilizer - Synthetic vs. Natural
"Jeffrey L. Kline" wrote in message
... I've used Bayer products and find them to be of high quality. I don't use the systemic system, just 'cause I think topical application of insect and fungus/black spot control to be more effective. There are a ton of articles on line providing the pro's and con's for both synthetic (generally petroleum based) and organic fertilizers, including American Rose Society. With 3000 square feet of garden, I find granulated fertilizer an real benefit. Its easy to apply, consistent in its composition, and cost effective. I think the main issues of synthetics from my experience is the salt build-up in the soil (and run-off in the water, if you're not careful), as well as increasing pH. Both have a tendency to decrease the plant's ability to take up the nurturance in the soil. (Martin and Gail, in reference to your "roses are busting out all over" thread, this is why, so I'm told, that they recommend you replace soil when placing a new rose in an old rose site.) I think you've got a good point there. I try to use a mixture of organic and non-organic sources so I'm not quite as worried about soil conditions, but it might be a concern for a new rose in an old spot. There's also the potential problem of disease. A rose that doesn't last long after planting must have something wrong with it. Mostly, I think in my case, it's a matter of roses that can't deal with the high heat. Roses used to the heat - like Teas - do great with little effort on my part. And yeah, I'm planting more and more Teas... There are several products that can reduce salt buildup, including gypsum. It has the additional benefit of clumping clay, so you get better root aeration. In addition, I monitor my soil's pH and adjust it to 6 to 6.5. I add gypsum my soil because it's heavy clay and I've read gypsum helps with drainage. We've had floods here, and as far as I can tell I haven't lost any roses because of too much water. I also use horse manure based compose, but I find it is not very high in nitrogen. The wood chips used in stalls these days are very high in carbon, which actually leaches nitrogen out of the soil, so I add nitrogen to the pile while I'm composting it. And that's my main concern with most "natural" fertilizers. Its really hard to know how much of what is in it, and it varies from batch to batch. As a result, you can never be sure you're providing all of the substrates the plant requires. (Well, I guess if your plants are big, green, healthy, and full of blooms, you must be doing something right.) Also, if you have a big area, it can get quite costly. Hope this helps Jeff, Southeast Michigan, Zone 5 Gail near San Antonio TX Zone 8 |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Synthetic Adjustable Balcony Trough Brackets / Hooks - NEW! | Marketplace | |||
Synthetic Oil vs. Pertolium Based Oil | Lawns | |||
Synthetic Lumber. Raised beds. | Texas |