In a message dated 8/9/2005 9:23:11 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:

As Jim Lewis will point out. Organic is not always better. You want
the fertilizer to be available to the tree ASAP, organic has to break down
first.



Both organic and chemical fertilizers place crucial roles in the development
of bonsai. Without delving into inordinate detail in this brief message,
organic cakes are indispensable for those of you who are growing bonsai in
akadama soil. Akadama does not effectively transfer nutrients to the bonsai's
root system (low cation exchange ratio), so the constant presence of a
slow-release fertilizer fuels desirable growth.

For immature trees, I would agree that chemical fertilizers accelerate
growth. For mature trees (trees that have achieved their design objective),
organics assist in maintaining the tree's design while keeping it healthy.

Cordially,

Michael Persiano
members.aol.com/iasnob

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