Beautifully colored conifers are an irreplaceable garden decoration all year round. However, in order to keep their intense color and he althy appearance, it is importantcorrect fertilization of conifers , carried out in a timely manner. Seehow to choose the best fertilizer for conifersOur expert explainswhen and with what to fertilize garden conifersso that they delight with juicy green and he althy appearance for many years!
When and with what to fertilize conifers?
Guide to fertilizers for conifersprepared for us by MSc.Agnieszka Lach, a graduate of the Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. On a daily basis, he is professionally involved in the care and arrangement of plants. The author of many interesting tutorial articles on gardening and an expert on the gardening forum.
Compound fertilizer for conifers
We start fertilizing conifers in springas soon as the vegetation starts (March, early April), using fertilizers with a high dose of nitrogen (N) and microelements. Nitrogen plays a very important role in the development of young needles and scales.For fertilizing conifers we use fertilizers specially designed for these plantsThe method of fertilizing conifers depends on the type of fertilizer we use.
The first and the most frequently chosen type are granulatedmulti-component fertilizers for conifers , such as Target fertilizer for conifers with micronutrients or Florovit for conifers. They provide conifers with all the necessary macro- and microelements in the right proportions.We use them from spring to summer (March-July).Fertilization of conifers several times in the season , because one dose of fertilizer is enough for plants for 3-4 weeks. Due to the high nitrogen (N) content, they can only be used until the end of July.
The second group arelong-acting fertilizer for conifers , such as: Substral fertilizer for conifers 100 days or much cheaper Target long-acting fertilizer for conifers. They are enough for plants for about 100 days (3 months). We use them a maximum of 2 times a season (in March and June).
Among the long-acting fertilizers there is still Substral Osmocote EXTRA long-acting for conifers, which works for up to 6 months.We use this fertilizer for conifers only once in the season- in the spring. It is very convenient, but Osmocote is also a much more expensive fertilizer than popular granulated fertilizers.
Target and SUBSTRAL fertilizers for conifers
Organic Conifer Fertilizer
In addition to the above-mentioned multi-component mineral fertilizers, we should alsoapply organic fertilizersunder the conifers, enriching the soil with humus and humic components. It is necessary to maintain a he althy and fertile soil under our plants, because without it even the best mineral fertilizers will not help. Therefore, at least once every two yearsit is worth sprinkling the conifers with compostIf we do not have our own composter, choose an ecological fertilizer for conifers 100 days tailored to the needs of this group of Target plants. It works similarly to a long-acting fertilizer (it is enough to apply it once a season, in spring), but apart from minerals, it enriches the soil with priceless humus, perfectly replacing the compost.
Target conifer fertilizers
Intervention conifer fertilizer, i.e. quick help for specific problems
Another type are intervention fertilizers.These are very fast-acting fertilizers that we usewhen the conifers are in bad conditionand we expect a quick effect. Such fertilizers include, for example, Substral Magiczna Siła intervention fertilizer for conifers and Target Moc Zieleni for conifers. These fertilizers are easily soluble in water. We can apply them to the soil along with watering or as a foliar spray (it ensures the fastest absorption by the plant).
Intervention fertilizers also include fertilizers against browning of needles, which we only use in spring. They are enriched with magnesium (Mg), which is needed in the production of chlorophyll. The deficiencies of this nutrient in the soil very often occur after winter. In this group of fertilizers, we can recommend: Target fertilizer for conifers, which strengthens the color of needles with magnesium, or an intervention substrate against browning of needles.
Fall fertilizer for conifers
End of the growing season meanschanges in fertilization of conifersThe overriding concern is to reduce the amount of nitrogen supplied to plants.Nitrogen fertilization applied too late (in August or later) delays the lignification of the tissues, which increases the risk of damage to the shoots during frosts. From the end of July, conifers show a greater demand for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).
Appropriate doses of these elements will be delivered to conifers using autumn fertilizers, such as: Substral Autumn fertilizer for conifers Magiczna Strength or Target autumn fertilizer for conifers and thuja. These fertilizers are characterized by a limited content of nitrogen (N), and an increased content of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).Autumn fertilizers for conifersincrease winter hardiness and frost resistance of coniferous plants, thanks to sap thickening, accelerating the process of lignification of tissues and expansion of the root system. We use them from August to October, dosing as described on the fertilizer packaging.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
