Fertilizer and temperature
Mike Rummerfield via pbs (Sun, 05 Mar 2023 18:07:44 PST)
Jane,
In my experience, also in the Pacific Northwest, non-synthetic fertilizers
are made available to plants according to temperature and moisture. Higher
temperatures increase soil microbial activity, which break down the
fertilizer into plant-available nutrients. It's the old adage - "Feed the
soil".
Being organic, and less soluble than synthetics, the fertilizers will
remain in the soil longer, until they are broken down into the nutrients
that *can* be utilized by the plants. Particularly in your case, in your
covered bulb bed, the fertilizer will not be as susceptible to leaching
(from rain) and will remain available to plants for a longer period, i.e.,
now and continuing as temperatures rise, as the organic fertilizer is
broken down by microbes at a (slower) rate that is more thoroughly utilized
by the plants over time, or am I repeating myself?
This applies to organic based fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers, which
are manufactured from fossil fuels, are more of a "quick fix" -- they are
effective in being utilized by plants at a quicker/sooner rate than
organics, but they are more susceptible to being washed (leached) through
the soil before they can be taken up by the plants, especially in sandy
soil, and rainy climates, and they do nothing to contribute to the health
of the soil.
This is just my two cents regarding fertilizer and temperature.
I feel like an acolyte talking to a priestess.
Regards,
Mike
On Sun, Mar 5, 2023 at 4:51 PM Jane McGary via pbs <
pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote:
I usually apply soluble fertilizer to plants in my unheated bulb house
now. However, we are having an unusually cold late winter: near freezing
every night, and in the 40s F daytime. Many plants are in active growth,
if a bit later than usual. Should I apply fertilizer now, or wait until
the daytime temperatures are a bit higher? I don't use pelleted
fertilizer on the container plants but have some for the garden which is
designed to release slowly at cool temperatures, unlike Osmocote-type
slow-release fertilizers which need higher soil temperatures than is
typical in the Pacific Northwest.
The continuing cold is also probably impeding the seed harvest for this
year. I'm told that cold temperatures retard the development of pollen
tubes leading to the ovaries. However, I don't like the idea of bringing
flowering plants into indoor temperature just to encourage seed set,
because I think it would make them go into premature dormancy, which
might limit their vigor in the future. I've always preferred to grow my
container plants as hard as they will tolerate, so that they appear in
character (more like they do in nature). Many of the bulbs I grow come
from mountainous or steppe areas where night temperature is sharply
lower than daytime.
Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, usa
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