Thanks Nina;

Both azaleas are in 18" X 12" X 4" mica training pots, in turface based
bonsai soil.
I don't see very much bark etc in the mixture.
Drainage isn't a problem.

Vigoro is a time released product with the following:
Total Nitrogen = 15% (7.31% Ammoniacal Nitrogen and 7.69% Urea
Nitrogen)
Total Phosphate = 7%
Total Potash = 7%
Total Magnesium = 1.5%
Total Sulfur = 3%
Total Iron = 2%

Apparently the Urea Nitrogen is slow release, through polymer coated
pellets.

I usually add a drop of two of SuperThrive to each watering and a few
Biogold pellets spread around the surface of each pot. However, if you
suggest Muracid with chelated iron will be better for my azaleas, I'll pick
some up and follow the directions.

I was more concerned that my salt treated well water is alkaline rather than
acidic.

Mark


-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of
Nina Shishkoff
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2003 12:36 PM
To:
Subject: [IBC] hard water and azaleas ??

I have no idea what "Vigoro" is; does it contain micronutrients? Because
the problem of the twentieth century is the problem of iron uptake in
azaleas, or something like that. If your bonsai is in an artificial medium
like bark:turface, there are no sources of micronutrients except those that
you supply, and therefore you need a full-spectrum fertilizer like Miracid
with chelated iron (soluble and in a form plants can utilize). Don't dilute
fertilizer; use it at directed strength.

I have never heard of anyone having iron deficiency in a bonsai'ed
ericaceous plant. Has anyone? It would be useful to know if this is more
of a perceived problem than an actual one. Certainly it is a problem in
nursery propagation, but the water used for irrigation is often substandard.

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