Fertilizer time release update – new formulation to last 8 to 9 months is now offered by AdeniumRose Company. The time released fertilizer is manufactured by ICL Specialty Fertilizers. The formulation gives you longer/slower release of nutrients designed for container grow plants.
Fertilizer Balance
The fertilizer gives a better balanced approach for all the growing cycles including blooming. Addition nitrogen for growth and phosphate for blooming. If you have a harder to bloom plant, then add a liquid bloom specialty in addition to time released.
Apply bloom boost two months before the NORMAL plant blooming period. Once the buds appear stop adding the boost. This does not replace the regular time released fertilizer. It’s important to prevent plant shock caused by only fertilizing part of the year. This is why time released fertilizer is used.
Why Time Released?
The time released fertilizer offered by AdeniumRose company gives the plant nutrients its needs throughout the year without shocking the plant. Fertilizer shock plants, if too strong, which causes damage. Damage results in leaf burning and root death.
If you are in a higher rain are then you may need to add more fertilizer in 6-7 months. As the plant receives water, the time released granules break down which releases the nutrients. Heavier watering increase the breakdown. This is necessary because water leaches nutrients out of the soil. The more water the more leaching of nutrients out so they need to be replaced at the same time.
Fertilizing – When is a Good Time
The general rule we use is to fertilize year round for evergreens. Do not fertilize during dormancy. Add fertilizer to dormant plants about 2-3 weeks before dormancy ends. If you plant loses leaves (during winter) then it’s not an evergreen plant. Evergreens grow year round (they do have slow growth periods).
The use of time released fertilizer prevents shock by slowly releasing nutrients. This give you time to enjoy the plant vs maintaining it.
So instead of using Dyna Gro KLN when repotting as per your suggestions in Growing Healthy Plants is it recommended instead to use the time release fertilizer?
HI: No not instead. The KLN is used to stimulate roots when you plant and re-pot plants. Time released is for general growth over a long period of time. The KLN has different ingredients designed to get more nutrients to the roots so they recover faster from transplanting.
I have ordered some of your soil and will be using to repot desert roses.
When using the Dyna Gro KLN do you suggest following the instructions on the bottle or do you have any suggestions on how much to use when repotting?
AdeniumRose and Epic Grower LLC use it as directed on the container.
When purchasing and receiving an adenium rose from your business, is there a “Grace” period before repotting?
Also, when pruning your desert rose is there a particular time of the year that is recommended and when pruning how much to remove and/or where from?
The adeniums are shipped bare root so plant them when you get them. There are instructions shipped with the plants. If your referring to plants just received wait until next year to prune during summer.
Please check areticles on cropping / pruning on this blog. There are several articles on where and when.