jc_7a: Yes, that's the Acid Lilly Miller with NPK 10-5-4 that I tested in pots back in 2012 before recommending to others.
noseometer: I'm testing to see if high chemical fertilizer attract insects on the 2 Abes rootings that you gave me. One Abe has double the amount of Oscomote PLUS NPK 15-9-12 with trace elements, that came down with rose-slugs, while the other Abe is 100% clean. Both have 2 buds, but the one with less fertilizer is healthier.
Chemical fertilizer is known to attract pests .. so I'll stick with alfalfa meal plus using sulfate of potash and lime (if tons of acidic rain), or gypsum (if with alkaline tap water). Sulfate of potash, lime, gypsum are natural-mined products, and the release is slower than chemical. Phosphorus doesn't leach out since its mobility is a 1, thus accumulate in soil.
See excerpt from below link:
https://www.sare.org/publications/manage-insects-on-your-farm/managing-soils-to-minimize-crop-pests/impacts-of-fertilizers-on-insect-pests/
"A review of 50 years of research identified 135 studies showing more plant damage and/or greater numbers of leaf-chewing insects or mites in nitrogen-fertilized crops. Researchers have demonstrated that high nitrogen levels in plant tissue can decrease resistance and increase susceptibility to pest attacks (Table 2) ... most studies assessing the response of aphids and mites to nitrogen fertilizer have documented dramatic expansion in pest numbers with increases in fertilizer rates."
Below is 1 1/2 month rooting of Abraham Darby with 2 buds & healthier with much less Oscomote Plus, plus watering once a week with Schultz SOLUBLE NPK 17-18-28, plus alfalfa meal for nitrogen:
Reminding myself that there's no point in using high chemical fertilizer since that gets leached out, plus attract insects. It's more efficient to increase the CEC (cation exchange capacity) with organic matter, so it holds on to nutrients. Potassium is most available with water (wet soil), and organic matter UP the moisture.
Some tips from an international horticultural site: https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_fertilizer_application_effects_on_diseases_and_pests
"If excess N fertilizer is applied the plant exhibits more vegetative growth and becomes soft and succulent. The plant becomes less resistant. Potassium helps with water and nutrient absorption, photosynthesis .. keeping the plant strong and more resistant."
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Straws fertilizer advice
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