Went to the local nursery for some plants, and explained why I needed organic soil. He was wondering and so am I now...what should I use to fertilize the plants? He was asking how I expect them to grow if I don't use fertilizer?
Fertilizer
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I used Miracle Grow soil mixed with peat moss in my Christmas tree bin when I planted it two summer's ago for Pio. The plants grew like crazy, and I never had a problem with him getting sick from eating them. I also put a layer of it in my outdoor pen before I planted. For years, before I had a computer, I always fed the plants in my outdoor boxie pen, but now everything is different, and it's so easy to get good information. But, don't go my me...do your own thing. In my inside viv. I use plain top soil mixed with pet moss, and the plants grow fine. I never feed them.
You can use organic fertilizers like bloodmeal and bone meal. Fish emulsion can be used, but it smells pretty bad. (My cats love to roll in it afterwards! Yuck!) Worm castings are also an option. Most organic fertilizers are safe, but I still check the ingredients carefully and mix well into the soil, then water, water, water, to make sure it's disolving well. On a side note - training bonsai trees is also one of my hobbies - and my teacher uses ammonium sulfate. It's very cheap to use and if dug in around the plants and well watered - it will pose no problems to your pets. (This is what my teacher says - I haven't tried it.)
Sorry for being OT, but I just have to ask.....you have Bonsai???? I went to school many years ago, and I have some myself. I would love to see pictures....you could start another thread.
Plants grow all over the planet with out man-made fertilizers. Just plant them in the plain dirt and I'll bet they do fine.
terryo said:
Yes, I also do bonsai. I can post some pictures - but where would I start the thread?
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Of course you can grow plants without fertilizers! I think he was trying to sell you more product...
kimber_lee_314 said:
Go to the off topic section and you can post it there.
Yes, of course plants grow all over the planet without fertilizer. I feed all of my fruit trees composted rat/mouse/tortoise/snake manure and they show it! But trees in nature usually have all kinds of matter composting above/around them that takes care of their needs. Tortoises in the wild take care of their own needs and usually take 30 to 50% more time to reach maturity than they do in captivity. Is that a good or bad thing? Bonsai is a fantastic art, but an unnatural modification of a plant. Is that also bad? Kinda like pyramiding? Just a thought from someone that has dedicated their life to not only plants but also animals. Best to all Douglas
Destiny- most plants do not need fertilizer if you have decent soil. If you grow 'nutrient stealing' plants, like grass, over and over in the same soil, it is a good idea to enrich it, though. Any fertilizer safe for vegetables should be OK, although I do prefer good old-fashioned stuff myself.
Thanks to everyone!! He was pretty pushy about plants not growing without fertilizer, but maybe he is just closeminded?? So where do I get all of these natural compost? I have my own tortoise poo and dog poo. May be a stupid question but could I make my own?
It takes a while to get one going, but making your own compost can be pretty rewarding. It can be as simple as a pile in an out-of-the-way place in your yard, or an actual structure. In the past, I have taken a length of 4' wide chicken wire and bent it into a circle about 4' diameter. Tie it together. Then put in a layer of leaves, a layer of potting soil, another layer of leaves, then just start adding things as you dispose of them...kitchen garbage (but not meat products) like egg shells, coffee ground, orange peels, etc. You will need to keep it moist and aerated. I used a pitchfork to turn the pile every so often. You get worms out of the pile too...an added bonus!
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