Miracle Gro shake-n-feed Palm Fertilizer question

[PalmX]

I've got some Micrale Gro shake-n-feed fertilizer for palms and the directions are recommending 1/2 cup per 12 inches of drip line on potted palms.

I've got a potted 3 trunk Adonidia palm that has a 36 inch drip line total but their trunks are still relatively slim (3/4-1inch diameters)

1.5 cups seems like an awful lot to throw in the pot. Is this safe?

Thanks.

[PalmX]

No Miracle Gro fans in here?

[jimmyt]

That sounds like instructions for in-ground planted palms.  Is there a specific dose for container planted palms on the package?

[PalmX]

3 hours ago, jimmyt said:

That sounds like instructions for in-ground planted palms.  Is there a specific dose for container planted palms on the package?

Those are the measurements for palms in containers.

For palms in ground it's 1 cup per 6 feet of drip line.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

12 hours ago, PalmX said:

No Miracle Gro fans in here?

Tim,

Welcome to the forum.  To answer your question, NO I am not a Miracle Gro fan or fan of any other synthetic chemical fertilizer.  I used to use them, but went ALL ORGANIC eight and a half years ago, and I am NEVER going back to the synthetic chemicals.  I have a B.S. Degree in Agriculture, 35 years of horticultural experience, and about 20 years of landscaping experience, so not to brag, but I do know what I am talking about.  Once I went ALL ORGANIC (first used the organic fertilizer on some Christmas Palms I had grown from seed) and saw the results, then did the research and found out we have been LIED to so much by the chemical companies that produce the chemical fertilizers.  By going ALL ORGANIC, you actually build up the healthy microbes in the soil, and when you have healthy soil, you have healthy trees and plants with deep, strong roots.  Also, you increase the cold hardiness of your tropicals by 2F to 5F, depending on the species, and you use 40% to 50% less water over time.  In addition, you have much healthier more nutritious fruits and vegetables.   Anyway, I use MicroLife All Organic Biological Fertilizer produced by San Jacinto Environmental in Houston.  It is the best fertilizer I have ever found in the 35 years I have been growing plants.  I use their Ultimate 8-4-6.  It has over 70 minerals and micronutrients, and thus covers the full spectrum of any minerals and micronutrients that a plant needs.  It is a granular slow release fertilizer to be applied to the root zone.  I also use MicroLife Ocean Harvest 4-2-3 as a foliar spray.  I think you can order these online, but I am fortunate to be able to go to Houston a couple of times per year to get mine in person straight from the wholesale company that produces it since I do landscaping work.

John

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

By using synthetic chemical fertilizers, you actually kill the beneficial microbes in the soil, thus producing much less healthy soil, and you add sodium to the soil, which dries the soil out, thus higher watering costs as it takes more water to adequately water your trees and plants that are fertilized with the synthetic chemicals.  I also use Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap for Organic Gardening as an all natural organic pest control, and NEVER use any synthetic chemical herbicides like Round Up.  These are very harmful to us and to the environment.  Palms are particularly sensitive to the synthetic chemical weed killers.

[jimmyt]

Tim,  

As a matter of  fact I do have a bag of Miracle-Gro Shake n Feed.  I have used it on palms in pots as directed without burning.  Remember to mix it into the soil.  Guaranteed not to burn. Palm Gain seems to be the favorite on PT but it is not available near me. Organic vs Synthetic, IDK! Each has its pros and cons.  I had tried them both....  It is experience and personal preference.

[Silas_Sancona]

Miricle Gro ..anything is probably the worst stuff you can feed plants with.. Like Mr coconut palm mentioned, synthetics nuke the soil -" flora" and also make it so your plants have to have it ..like ..an illicit drug made in the basement. especially potted specimens.. Trying to wean them off of the stuff, well, that's how i lost several Plumeria and some other things years ago.  Much better options out there.

vv While just one example, Organics are pretty much the only stuff i apply regularly ( Phos. 1x/ yr. only ) Since using, no issues, just healthy plants ..over the long term.  Label-less box is Azomite. Can see you only use a little at a time... When feeding potted stuff anyway..  Today is spring feeding day for the Plumeria

[scubamom]

On 5/2/2020 at 12:43 AM, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

By using synthetic chemical fertilizers, you actually kill the beneficial microbes in the soil, thus producing much less healthy soil, and you add sodium to the soil, which dries the soil out, thus higher watering costs as it takes more water to adequately water your trees and plants that are fertilized with the synthetic chemicals.  I also use Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap for Organic Gardening as an all natural organic pest control, and NEVER use any synthetic chemical herbicides like Round Up.  These are very harmful to us and to the environment.  Palms are particularly sensitive to the synthetic chemical weed killers.

Can you use this on potted palms?  I just noticed you are in Corpus... I'm in Portland just over the bridge.

[sonoranfans]

normal annual mulching provides the support for beneficial microbes in the soil.  Overapplication of NPK is something you dont want, but any time you want to remove salts fromt he soil, humic acid will chelate them and they will rinse away.  I use controlled release NPK and humic with mulch and I get steady growth with almost no nutrient deficiencies on 70+ palms.  The problem with organics is some species are particular in their nutrient requirements and even the ratios of nutrients can be important.  Those that grow many palm species know this.  Fact is our gardens are NOT their normal habitat, so adjustments to our soils and feeding are made.  Show me a great palm garden without NPK, not a few palms that have low nutrient requirements.  All the best growers I have met use NPK but the best use controlled release(not slow release).  Controlled release doenst over fertilize, it is controlled by osmotic pressure so it doesnt burn, doesnt rinse away, and doesn.t load the soil quickly with salts.  I need to add humic acid anyway to kill the bad nematoides in my sandy soil.   Most of those organics need to be worked into the soil, not possible in some cases.  Laying them on top they will rinse away in a deluge.

[sonoranfans]

As far as miracle grow, its junk fertilizer, they dont make controlled release.   

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

On 5/14/2020 at 6:44 PM, scubamom said:

Can you use this on potted palms?  I just noticed you are in Corpus... I'm in Portland just over the bridge.

Lynn,

Yes, you can.  I use it on all my palms and other trees and plants, both in the ground and in pots.  It is the best fertilizer I have found in the 36 years I have been growing plants.

John

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

On 5/14/2020 at 6:44 PM, scubamom said:

Can you use this on potted palms?  I just noticed you are in Corpus... I'm in Portland just over the bridge.

Lynn,

I just noticed that it looks like you were asking about the Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap For Organic Gardening.  Yes, you can use it on potted palms for any pest problems you may have.  But use it soaringly.  Even though it is an all natural organic insecticide and is not harmful to us, or the environment, it is still an insecticide and can kill beneficial insects like lady bugs, etc.  So, just use it when you actually need to in order to kill any bad bug problems you may have on your Palms.  When you go 100% ORGANIC like I did, you have a LOT less pest problems to begin with on your plants, so you don't need to use it very often to begin with, as the beneficial insects, lizards, frogs, toads, etc. return in sufficient numbers to usually keep pests in check to begin with, and your plants are healthier and able to fight off pests and disease better anyway.

John