HelpfulGardener.com

Hi
I am using Micracle grow potting soil which has fertilizer for 3 months, have also bought Osmocote last week....is it o.k to use osmocote with Miracle grow potting soil which already has fertilizer or should I wait for 3 months and then use osmocote after fertilizer in potting soil is used.
thanks!

I definitely would wait. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots of a plant, sometimes so badly that the plant dies. This is especially true when growing in containers, because the excess fertilizer can actually remain in the soil for quite some time, unless the plant is periodically drenched. IMO, it's simpler just not to use too much fertilizer in the first place.

Another thing to consider is that too much nitrogen will cause a plant to grow large, with big lush leaves, but it will produce little in the way of flowers and fruit.

JMO.

Kisal wrote:I definitely would wait. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots of a plant, sometimes so badly that the plant dies. This is especially true when growing in containers, because the excess fertilizer can actually remain in the soil for quite some time, unless the plant is periodically drenched. IMO, it's simpler just not to use too much fertilizer in the first place. JMO.

Thanks Kisal, this for for the petunias I was planning to separate as you & rainbowgardner advised me in my last thread (where I had put too many petunias in small container)
I will wait for some time then before I put any osmocote...but was worried the growing season will end by then

earth wrote:I will wait for some time then before I put any osmocote...but was worried the growing season will end by then

I don't use MiracleGro potting soil, so I really can't advise on whether it will last through your entire growing season.

Geez ... I haven't even got my tomatoes outside yet! I gotta get busy this weekend!

Kisal wrote:

earth wrote:I will wait for some time then before I put any osmocote...but was worried the growing season will end by then

I don't use MiracleGro potting soil, so I really can't advise on whether it will last through your entire growing season.

Geez ... I haven't even got my tomatoes outside yet! I gotta get busy this weekend!

Thanks Kisal. Hope your tomatoes r out now. My jelly bean tomato plant is turning yellow...have added osmocote to it (thats the only fertilizer I have bought - I m a first time gardner) ....dnt know if osmocote will help.