Foliage Pro 9-3-6 or Osmocote time release?

11 years ago

Hi, I've started growing a few potted plants after a long hiatus and I'm kinda stumped on plant food. After doing a bit of research, I've narrowed it down to either Foliage Pro or the Osmocote timed release pellet thingies (though I'm open to other suggestions as well). Which do you all think is best overall for houseplants? I have several peace lilies, a spider plant, a couple of pothos, a peperomia, a draecena, and a dieffenbachia.

I'm attracted to the idea of the timed release but if it's better for the plants, will do the FP each time I water. Any input would be appreciated.

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Comments (5)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
If it's one or the other, I'd go with Foliage Pro, which offers a more complete formula and will give you greater control over nutrition.

I personally use both. I add Osmocote to certain mixes when made (such as tomato, pepper, vegetable mixes), and then transition to heavier doses of Foliage Pro as the season progresses. I prefer the 4-month slow-release.

Josh
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
I agree - I like the control & don't mind the little extra bit of effort. If you do use a CRF, choose one with close to a 2:1:2 or 3:1:2 NPK RATIO (like 18-6-12, 19-6-9, or 15-9-12 would be would be), and try to be sure it also contains the micronutrients.
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Loveplants2 8b Virginia Beach, Virginia
11 years ago
Hello Everyone,

Like Josh and AL, This is the best for me!!

So... I agree as well... ;-)

I also love the Foliage Pro and Pro Tekt. It makes it so much easier to me to make my mix and to know when and how much i give to my trees.

Simple formula and very user friendly!!!!

Good Luck!!

Laura
francienolan
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the input. I'm a little confused though. I thought that one of the quickest ways to kill a plant is to over fertilize. But you all recommend two different kinds of fertilize. Would you help me understand this? I would think that adding another fertilizer on top of the time released Osmocote would be too much. Do you use a lot less of each than recommended? Sorry to be so dense.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
It's a valid question. Many growers include a starter charge or a small amount of a favored CRF (controlled release fertilizer) formulation either when they establish the planting or at the beginning of the growth cycle, in spring. Then they fertilize regularly with low doses of some other type of fertilizer. I do this occasionally with bonsai material I want to develop quickly.

Over-fertilizing can cause unwanted types of growth, depending on what elements are supplied in excess, or it can make it difficult to impossible for the plant to take up an adequate volume of water. In extreme cases, it can reverse the flow of water that usually moves from outside to inside the plant's cells, and cause cellular collapse (fertilizer burn/plasmolysis).

Al