Question about Osmocote fertilizer

14 years ago

I was wondering if anyone knew how long it took for Osmocote to start releasing it's nutrients? I have broccoli growing in a 4 gallon container, and mixed some into the top 2" of the soil at planting time. Thanks.

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Comments (6)

ronalawn82
14 years ago
engineeredgarden, quite quickly and in direct proportion to the moisture content of the soil. We'd plant annuals, incorporating a tablespoon of the 14-14-14 for each 4" plant and water the bed thoroughly. The annuals really took off. If your container is watered by capillary action then the moisture content of the soil at the surface (where the Osmocote has been placed) might not be enough to give the full effect of the fertilizer application.
And yet, I would hesitate to recommend top-watering'
engineeredgarden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your reply. Indeed...it does utilize capillary action. I just found another thread covering the subject, in which it revealed that soil temperature has alot to do with it, also. That makes sense....
I know that there is a critical timing factor involved for tomatoes and such, and I would like to experiment with various plants to see how they react. The thing is - I got a sweet deal on several packages of it from my local Kmart garden center (end of season closeout), and wanted to try to use some for the various veggies I grow in swc's.

EG
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
14 years ago
Practically speaking, release in damp soils is immediate. Actually, moisture diffusing into the prills through semi-permeable prill walls is the first step in the release process, but as long as the soil is at least damp, moisture levels have almost no effect on release rate, which is controlled almost entirely by temperature. Incorporation into media is much preferred to broadcasting, and you need to familiarize yourself with the individual product as generalizations are more and more difficult to make, and as the variety of products is growing very quickly.

Al
engineeredgarden
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for your input, Al. I understood some of what you said. :-) The moisture level of the growing medium registers at 3-4 with my meter - which is on the borderline of dry/moist. Since outdoor temps right now are 35-75, I hope the broccoli does ok with it. I like experimenting with various things, and the growing cycle will be documented.

EG
norma_2006
14 years ago
I use Osmocote fertililzer in my Sansevieria pots during the summer months only becase this when they are actively growing. When I was growing veggies in 1/2 wine barrels, I used decomposed steer manure. I think organics give the veggies more flavor, and that is the reason I grow them at home. Norma
I have hard water, so I also use vinagar to soften the water and found that my plants loved the extra acid. Norma
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
14 years ago
Osmocote is a brand name for a timed release fertilizer and is available in differing formula for length of release time as well as NPK combinations. Other brands are available and are at your landscape suppliers in 50 pound bags at much better prices. For my container planting I use one with a 9 month release with a 18-6-12 NPK. I could buy the Osmocote brand for a few dollars more from the same source but do not think it is any better. Al