on the subject of fertilisers

For some time now I have been thinking that i was sent the wrong plants.. the three Gertrude Jekylls in flower never matched the flowers in the nursery (the top photo).. I bought them as bare rooted ages ago.. anyway i tried a different fertiliser this month on the recommendation of my brother who lives in Perth. He recommended Black Marvel.. and low and behold the colours are now true.. I don't think it is weather and water as some other varieties are responding as well yet not those that missed out.....so i will probably alternate as i think SI is great for foliage...[too bad if i shoudn't be mentioning brands.. i use and now recommend both]

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It is always good idea to use a variety of fertilisers. I use Sudden Impact as my basic fertilizer however I use Searles 5 in 1 as an alternative from time to time. Also I use various soluble fertilizers and additives at various times throughout the year.

That's interesting and good to know Hariet. I'll keep my eye out for Black Marvel. I wonder if they sell it at Bunnings?

i have had trouble getting the 5 in 1, that is in the big blue bag right? I got the BM at Bunnings.. We have finally had a spot of rain 3mm yesterday evening!

Searles 5 in 1
 
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Does it happen to say anything on the Searles pack if it is okay to use in pots?

its organic....yes..... I use it as a spray....

Do you mean a foliar spray Neptune ? and Black Marvel  better look for that one ...

i was quite pleased with the price of the black marvel actually (from bunnings).. now just need some rain to help it along.. i looked at the flowers on Ab D and their colour is much richer as well.. (and they had the BM added about 2 weeks ago as well)

yes maree....a foliar spray.......also put one litre of it , plus one litre of water in one of those two litre containers that you can attach to the garden hose and do the lawn with it.....and it blesses me with a blowing green lawn.....

Maree's husband, he of the fantastic lawn, might be interested in that one. Lol

Neptune , i am fed up with fighting and mucking around with the spray pumps that now i just buy a ready mixed spray of Seasol or something, attach it to the hose and foliar spray the roses and surrounds with that , so much easier .       Silky , my husband is the keeper of the lawn and i dare not utter a word of assistance in that area . Going to get my own patch of grass in the front garden one day , and its going to be long and untidy lol ....

maree,...when you use those 2ltr garden hose click ons, you don't have to worry too much about filtering.....so long as it can get up the suction tube, it will get sucked out.....

Neptune i have bought so many pump action sprays , big ones , small ones , all sorts and hated them all , then i thought why am i doing this , just use the click on hose ones , 2 litre not too heavy and you can refill them and its soo much easier ...

Thanks for the tips folks! I will have to give them a try.

another good product for the foliar spray is Charlie carp , but warning use what's recommended , otherwise u will burn the foliage

[quote="jordan71"but warning use what's recommended [/quote]

This applies to all chemicals and fertilizers being used otherwise you are inviting problems.

Neptune, the 5 in 1 liquid foliar spray doesn't burn the leaves does it ?

I spray just as it get light and that gives it time to settle......the last time I sprayed it was 5am and that day got up to 42c and no burn......

Okay , thanks for that , but 5am OMG !!! did you go back to bed after that ...

no...had brekky, then went to the gym for a workout and then a run after that......[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

PHEW !!! 

I'm just too lazy to do anything like that. Early morning I just roll over and go back to sleep.

well you don't want to spray at night, because that will lead to blackspot and you don't want to leave it till the sun gets up(especially in summer)......this will cause burn....so you really don't have much choice......oh wait......there is and you can sleep in.....you don't have to do it or wait till winter.....hmmmm...sleep sounds nice....

Too right Neptune , sleep sounds nice , set the alarm at 5am and spray the roses , the neighbours really would think i'm nuts , but no they are probably still in bed ...