[IBC] Epsom Salt, Fertilizers and Soils
 

Nina,



Let me start by thanking you for your help. Now, coming back to my question, I guess something else has come out: non-soil mixes vs. soil mixes. Now and as it is common in Mexico, we use soil mixes, in my particular case, I use a mix of 1/4 "organic soil", 1/4 of "black earth", 1/4 of "brown earth" and 1/4 of lava rock. So, as you can see, I have at least 75% of soil, that is why I use this kind of fertilizers.



But, if I understood correctly, it is recommended to use NON-SOIL mixes, and this is to avoid root rot, am I right? Or there is another reasons that I am not aware of. Therefore, could you give me an idea on the ideal mix soil?



Also, and based on the type of soil I use, do you think I am fertilizing my trees correctly?



By last, could you advise me on a good fertilizer?



Thank you for your time an patience.



Best Regards,

Roberto



----- Original Message -----
From: Nina Shishkoff
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 2004 10:19 AM
Subject: [IBC] Need help with a Juniperus - Epsom Salt and Fertilizers


I say:
As far as I know, Epson salts are used to make foliage "bluer" by some
unknown mechanism. All it is is Magnesium chloride. Magnesium is a
necessary micronutrient in plants, but not the only one. Because we
commonly grow bonsai in non-soil mixes, they can be deficient in
micronutrients and regular NPK fertilizers like 20-20-20 will not
supply them. Such fertilizers are fine when applied to regular soil,
because most soils have reasonable levels of the micronutrients plants
need. But I grow my bonsai in a turface/granite/bark mix, and I need
to add micronutrients.

However, full-spectrum fertilizers are easy to find. For conifers, I
use MirAcid and get magnesium as well as all other necessary
micronutrients, without having to worry about dose. That's what I
would recommend.

Nina

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