Which Controlled Release Fertilizer Application Is Right for ...

     Growers spend a lot of time and effort in trialing and choosing the best controlled release fertilizers in order to provide their containerized crops with the proper nutrition that they require. But while choosing the proper controlled release fertilizer is critical, it is also important to determine the proper method of application that will provide the grower with the greatest results.

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     There are 4 basic ways to apply fertilizer: top-dress, dibble, sub-dress and incorporation. Each of these methods has their advantages and disadvantages but it is up to the grower to analyze them and decide which method is better for their overall production goals.

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Top-dress (Applying CRF on surface of the growing media)

 Advantages

-CRF can be easily applied to the surface of any container.

-Application not tied to potting.

-Allows the grower the opportunity to fertilize the plant after another method of application has been exhausted.

 

 Disadvantages

-CRF is lost if a pot falls over. It is difficult to keep pots from falling over due to wind, animals or any other circumstance. When CRF is top-dressed, time and money is lost when a pot falls over. (Want a solution to this problem click this link, http://everris.us.com/plant-nutrition/coated-fertilizers/controlled-release-fertilizers/osmocote-pro/fusion-technology ).

-CRF is lost when workers weed. This is especially true with plants that have many weeds. As the weed is being removed media comes up with it and so does the fertilizer.

-With heavy rains and/or irrigation CRF particles will tend to jump out of the pot and onto the ground cover.

- Top-dressed CRF may reduce the efficacy of pre-emergent herbicide. There is evidence that salts from the top-dressed fertilizer or the micro-organisms feeding on the top-dressed fertilizer may affect the efficacy of your pre-emergent application.

-Top-dress applications can result in a higher level of weed pressure. When one top-dresses the fertilizer is sitting on top of the media, exactly where the weed seeds will germinate and begin to feed immediately.

-Higher cost in use. Top-dressing is necessary in some situations. For example, the previous fertilizer application has run out, but top-dressing from the start requires more labor than any other method due to the frequency of application and cost of fertilizer.

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Dibble (Applying CRF in a pocket in the root zone)

Advantages

-Can result in a lower level of weed pressure. As the weeds germinate they are being deprived of any nutrition because the fertilizer is a couple inches below the soil line.

-Can be applied at lower rates per pot. Because the fertilizer is so close to the root ball of the liner, the amount of fertilizer necessary for the plant to grow can be reduced slightly.

-Very difficult for CRF to fall out of the pot. Because the CRF is in the media, most of the media would have to fall out of the pot for the CRF to fall out.

-Dibble application is more efficient. In general better performance than applying CRF as a top-dress.

 

Disadvantages

-Very important: May lead to crop damage especially if containers dry out excessively between waterings. Be sure to use caution when dibbling. Having a large concentration of fertilizer in close proximity to the roots may damage your plants.  Osmocote Plus is the best choice for this application as it has been tested on liners at 2 times the recommended rate and they did not suffer adverse effects. If you do decide to dibble, trial on a small batch and on all plant species. 

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Sub-dress (Applying CRF in a layer in the root zone)

 Advantage

-Very efficient way to fertilize containerized plant material.

-Better performance than applying CRF as a top-dress. In my trials I have seen first-hand that sub-dressing can provide a better quality plant than top-dressing at the same rate.

-Very difficult for CRF to fall out of the pot.

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-Lower level of weed pressure. Again, you are feeding the plant and not the weeds.

 

Disadvantages

-More time consuming than incorporating. More time means more money, but other than this drawback sub-dressing in my opinion is the best method unless you can go through a load of media in a couple days in which incorporating may be a better option.

-Best to trial first, as sub-dress applications are more risky if not executed properly (like dibbling).

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Incorporate (Uniformly blending CRF in the growing media prior to potting) 

Advantages

-Most cost efficient method to apply fertilizer. The fertilizer is incorporated at the media blending facility or at the nursery and therefore does not have to be manually applied at the nursery.

-Better performance than applying CRF as a top-dress.

-Very difficult for CRF to fall out of the container.

 

Disadvantages

-Application is tied to potting schedules.

-Potting soil must be used rapidly. The heat and moisture of the media will cause the CRF to begin to release, therefore is should be used quickly.

-Rates can't be changed once rate for the load has been incorporated. For those that grow large quantities of one or two crops this method will save time and money. But if a grower is growing many varieties in different size containers they may need the flexibility of the other methods in order to change the rate of CRF depending on the situation.

-Difficult to confirm that the incorporation rate is accurate.

-Increased leaching. The CRF prills are dispersed throughout the container and especially when planting a small liner in a larger container the roots of that liner will not reach the bottom prills for several weeks. All the while those prills are releasing and not being consumed by the plant.

As always, contact me if I can be of any service.  Also, don't forget to join my Linkedin group "Horticulture Professionals Connection" and click the video below for more information on Fertilizer Displacement.

"Don't Grow It Alone"

Nelson Gonzalez

Sources:

1. Fertilizer Placement Affects Weed Germination and Crop Growth, Dr.

Altland, James, Oregon State University.

ICL&#;s pioneering controlled release fertilizer Osmocote® has been a game-changer in plant nutrition. The top-tier solutions Osmocote offers is trusted by growers everywhere. Our innovation journey has led us through five generations of Osmocote, each one integrating advanced technologies, new release patterns, and features tailored to the dynamic needs of modern horticulture. We are committed to providing an Osmocote product that fits your specific requirements, now and in the future.

 

A practical guide to find the fertilizer you need

Each plant growing experience is distinct. When caring for plants in nurseries, either in containers or pots, choosing the appropriate fertilizer is crucial for healthy plant growth. Consider these factors: The method you favor for applying fertilizer, the duration you need the fertilizer to last, and the specific sensitivities and nutritional requirements of your plants. And what are your goals? Do you aim for dense, compact plant growth, or are you seeking to achieve bright and vibrant flowers?

The chart below will help you to select the Osmocote controlled-release fertilizer that suits your cultivation best!

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