Nerines and fertilizer
J.E. Shields (Tue, 24 Aug 2010 05:06:57 PDT)
Rick brings up a very important point: Nerines and fertilizer. The broad
leafed species and hybrids develop symptoms that look like some sort of
mosaic virus to me when fed with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer.
I strongly recommend that only a zero-nitrogen fertilizer with and N-P-K of
something like 0-10-10 or 0-10-20 for all "broad-leafed" forms, including
bowdenii, huttoniae, krigei, laticoma, sarniensis, and undulata.
Nick de Rothschild recommends something similar on his web site,
http://www.nerines.com/ (I think). I discussed it in my blog some time ago;
see:
http://shieldsgardens.com/Blogs/Garden/…
Jim Shields
At 02:36 PM 8/23/2010 -0700, you wrote:
.......
I've read in the past NOT to apply nitrogen fertilizer, as it
encourages virus. I DO use a balanced bloom food once a month
during the growing season, in a dilute dose, and so far, knock wood,
I'm still virus free. (or, so it appears.) If anyone else walks the
edge, and fertilizes, I'd be interested in hearing about your cultural
tips.
.......
Rick K
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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
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