I am often asked the question: do I need to additionally feed the conifers?
It is noteworthy that the ornamental plants that adorn our site do not have an urgent need for fertilization. After all, we do not expect any harvest from them, and such plants, as a rule, do not shed their leaves in winter. Therefore, they do not require additional feeding in order to restore their lush crowns in the spring.
I want to note that fertilizers are still needed for conifers, but only in order to gain the required amount of green mass in a year. However, one should be careful when choosing chemical fertilizers for representatives of this class, because it is possible to oversaturate the soil with them and get problems with the growth and development of these plants.
What fertilizers are better for choosing
In the case of conifers, conventional mixtures and complex additives ("Azofoski") will not work. Moreover, I do not recommend using manure or compost mixtures, since they can cause accelerated growth and lead to yellowing and even complete death of the plant. Note that the matter is not in the amount of fertilizers applied, but in the composition of the latter. If you are not sure what kind of fertilizing to apply, then it is better not to do this at all, so as not to harm the ornamental plantings.
If your conifers really do not have enough nutrition, then it is better to purchase fertilizers specially designed for them. However, before that, it is recommended to carefully study the chemical composition of the mixture, which is indicated in the instructions.
When choosing a top dressing, I take into account the following:
- The total area of the “green part” of conifers is several times less than that of deciduous species. But most of the nutrients they get through photosynthesis, and not from the root system. Since magnesium is actively involved in this process, it must be present in the top dressing.
- It is not recommended to use fertilizers, which are dominated by nitrogen. This element causes active growth of young shoots. Since the branches often do not have time to get stronger, in winter they are damaged and lead to the death of the plant. Organic fertilizers (including manure, cowshed) should not be used.
How to fertilize correctly
To maintain the beautiful appearance of evergreens and their correct growth, I apply top dressing twice a season: in May, and also in early September. If you skip the necessary dates, then the shoots will not have time to ripen and will not withstand the frosty winter. It is preferable to apply fertilizers in liquid form - this way they will be absorbed faster by the root system. And you can use substances in granules, they have a longer lasting effect.
If you opted for liquid feeding, then you should prepare the solution in strict accordance with the instructions. The resulting mixture is introduced into the holes prepared along the perimeter of the crown. If you choose granular fertilizers, mix them with the soil while loosening the soil with a hoe. If the soil under the conifers is "acidic", then I recommend liming so that the nutrients are better absorbed. Dolomite flour, saturated with magnesium and calcium, which are perfectly absorbed by the root system, will help well here.
Did your ornamental plantations require additional feeding? What effect did you get? I would be glad if you also share your experience.
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