I tried bone meal for a couple of years, but didn't notice any
difference in growth, and like others have said, it attracted the
dog, so I quit using it.

I used to use Osmocote, but at half the recommended rate, and I quit
after all that discussion some time ago about the problems it has
when it gets too hot and things are watered a lot.

Someone back then recommended a different product, called Apex, and I
finally tracked down, using the Internet, a farm supply chain in
South. Calif. that carried it. The only problem was that they only
have stores at the periphery of the L.A. metropolitan area (which is
huge). So I made a drive out to a store one day, discovered that
since it comes in bulk, it is *much* cheaper than Osmoscote, and it
comes in many different N-P-K configurations. I bought two 50 lb.
bags of it and each bag has lasted a long time, even with all the
pots I have. Right before Jennifer moved away, I got her to get me
two more bags of it right before one of Cathy Craig's potlucks.

I got the 21-5-12 plus minors formulation after hearing all the
things that have been discussed over the years, and it turns out that
Apex formulates and markets its products for the Australian market as
well, which uses a different methodology for measuring the N-P-K
contents. According to the bag label, in Australia, the formulation
is 21-2.1-9.9 This is supposed to be a good formulation for
Australian natives as well, according to Apex. They also make
different lengths of duration for the time release and and although
it is dependent on temperature, Apex gives a rating table for a range
of temperatures. I got the formulation that lasts 9 months at 70 deg.
F. (10 months at 60 deg. F., 8 months at 80 deg. F., 7 months at 90
deg. F.)

I use it at the rate of 1/2 tablespoon per "gallon" of pot
size---which is half the rate suggested on the Osmocote packages. I
apply it when shoots start to appear in the autumn for winter growers
and in the spring when shoots start to appear for summer growers.
Everything seems to be growing much better since I started this
regimen, and one appplication lasts most of the growing season for
the winter growers. One bag is enough for all my pots and plants for
more than 12 months of growing seasons. Best of all it only costs
US$30 for a 50 lb. bag.

I know this is pragmatist's experience, but it seems to square well
with what others have written from a more scientific poitn of view.

--
--Lee Poulsen
Pasadena area, California, USDA Zone 9-10
_______________________________________________
pbs mailing list
pbs@lists.ibiblio.org
http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php