On Monday, August 19, 2013 3:13:15 PM UTC-7, Higgs Boson wrote:
On Monday, August 19, 2013 10:20:49 AM UTC-7, Moe DeLoughan wrote:

On 8/17/2013 2:41 PM, Higgs Boson wrote:







Plenty of info on arbor vitae on-line to answer your questions. For



example, just in case -- some people think they should fertilize



upon transplanting. No, no, no! Give them a chance to get their



root systems going before you give them a jolt of fertilizer.







Not so. Mix some high-phosphorus fertilizer into the soil at planting



time to encourage root development. It's the best time in the plant's



life to fertilize it.



I stand corrected/educated. I should have made clear the distinction between chemical and organic fertilizer application at planting time.



From Ehow:





Phosphorus Fertilizer Application & Time of Application thumbnail

Phosphorus fertilizer helps plants grow strong roots.



Phosphorus fertilizer comes in an organic form like bone meal or an inorganic form as a chemical liquid. Application rates and time of application vary depending on whether you choose organic or inorganic phosphorus fertilizer, how fast your plant grows and what type of plant you are growing.



Phosphorus fertilizer is used mainly to help plants develop strong root systems. In most cases, it is added to the garden at the beginning of the growing season or when you plant a new plant. Organic phosphorus fertilizers like bone meal stay where you put it, waiting for plant roots to find it and take it up. Chemical phosphorus fertilizers are added to water and poured into the soil. It leaches or moves through the soil when it rains and might require additional applications.



Annual flowers and vegetables grow fast. They need a lot of phosphorus fertilizer and water to sustain them. Spread bone meal under the soil before planting seeds or put it in the hole before planting seedlings. Wait until plants start to grow before adding chemical phosphorus fertilizer. Read the recommendations on the bone meal box and chemical phosphorus fertilizer box for application rates.



Read mo http://www.ehow.com/info_8062505_pho...#ixzz2cSItSzBd











Addendum:

I just realized how my too-hasty post could have been misleading.
I was concerned that the poster would just throw in a bunch of all-purpose fertilizer. causing the new plant to be very confused about whether it was supposed to be rooting, leafing, flowering, or what?? Mea culpa.
(Agree that organic phosphorus fertilizer applied CAREFULLY is OK at planting.

Last word to poster: When/if you buy phosphorus fertilizer, be sure to have the store clerk explain the formula on the box or bag (assuming they know!) so you don't end up with an all-purpose product. I was going to post a site but it was so technical, I gave up myself.

New subject: Slightly OT, but can't resist a plug for my favorite garden "additive" -- worm castings. I put some in the bottom of the hole when I transplant. (Probably should add some bonemeal, per this thread):

There is plenty of info on-line;

Ex: http://www.tastefulgarden.com/store/...tings-d114.htm

Available in most nurseries and in garden section of homeowners' stores.

HB

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