Can you use osmocote for succulents? Is it any good? Let’s find out the answer in this article. Please read until the end to get your answer.
osmocote for succulents : Is it Good?
Certainly they are good for succulents. Osmocote is an inorganic fertilizer type which releases fertilizers slowly.
There could be so many other slow-release fertilizers which you may come across the market, but I suppose Osmocote is the best out of them.
They would be excellent for your succulents. You may easily find Osmocote in every garden store and in nurseries as well.
Succulents don’t heavily depend on fertilizers. They would usually make their natural habitats in sandy areas which are less fertile. For example, we can consider succulents from Mexico. Those species are used to grow in summer monsoon moisture.
The sunlight they get during the storms would cause the Nitrogen to infiltrate rain. Consequently, they would gain the nutrients from those rainwater. So, Osmocote would work in the same way when you apply them on to the potted plants when you water them.
One might think, it is not organic and don’t wish to proceed with that. However, if you apply it in the right amounts, it will give guaranteed best results for you.
Osmocote has gained paternity as well. Since Osmocote is a slow-release fertilizer, it would allow the succulents to gain nutrients slowly.
That is what makes them ideal choices for your succulents. Osmocote fertilizer would be more like small round shaped elements. They would usually come up in an off white color.
Osmocote for succulents: How does it work?
Osmocote is more like BB sized pelleted grains and that is what releases the nutrients all the time once they get wet.
The periodic application of Osmocote would help the plants grow vigorously and firmly. So, whenever you irrigate the plants, it would provide the enrichments for the plants. All you have to do is simply scatter a tablespoon of Osmocote every three months.
If you use a high-powered fertilizer, it will leave a significant amount of fertilizer at the root zone of the plants which would be unhealthy for them. Over fertilization would be problematic as it would lead to freezing in winter. Further they may tend to melt down in summer.
Can you use too much Osmocote?
Too much osmocote would not be healthy on your plants. Many people tend to add the fertilizers as top dressings for the plants and chances are that you may end up overfeeding the plants with Osmocote.
However, best is to apply this fertilizer on the soil once the roots start to develop so that there will be less potential for you to over feed the plants.
Furthermore, when you feed the plants in excess it would make the cactus crack. Further chances are that it may even explode when they absorb the water.
Osmocote contains the nitrogen phosphorus and potassium. These are the three main crucial nutrients for the healthy growth of the plants. Hence, applying them in excess would only bring adverse effects on the plants.
So, ideally you need to apply them in equal amounts. Furthermore, I encourage you to apply them before the weather gets too cold. Osmocote is a timely release fertilizer. So, if you apply it correctly in the right doses at the right times, you will be rewarded with good results.
How often can you use Osmocote?
If you have indoor grown plants, you could apply them once every four years. Further you could do it at the same frequency for the outdoor grown plants as well.
Will Osmocote burn plants?
Osmocote will not burn the plants. So, you do not need to water the plants right after you feed the plants with Osmocote to avoid any potential burn in the plants.
Can I sprinkle Osmocote on top of soil?
To answer the question, Yes, You can sprinkle osmocote on top of the soil. You may call this technique as top dressing.
You simply have to sprinkle the fertilizers around the surface of the plants. you may either use your hands or drop a spreader. You need to be careful when watering the plants as irrigation is what makes this fertilizer active.
If you end up over watering, chances are that they may wash away the fertilizers prematurely. They would usually release nutrients for four to six months.
How do you use Osmocote on potted plants?
It is important to know the correct way of applying the fertilizers at the correct time and many people tend to make mistakes when doing that as they are not well aware of how to do it properly.
If you have outdoor grown succulents / cactus, you can simply sprinkle some of the osmocote into the surface of the plants. ideally you need to work into 1/3 top of the soil layer.
Best time is to apply the osmocote during repotting. You may simply mix osmocote into the soil and then replant them.
If you have indoor grown succulents, you need to first choose the osmocote plus smart release fertilizer and just sprinkle one scoop of prills to the pot. Then mix the topsoil into 1-3 inches. After that you should water them and keep reapplying them once every six months.
In fact, the best time to apply osmocote is when you transplant the plants. Furthermore, you should apply fertilizers before any drastic changes in weather too.
Osmocote are slow releasing fertilizers which would release the fertilizers at a slow pace when the plants need them. osmocote would come up in different forms. For example, they may come in liquid forms or even in powdered varieties.
So, when you apply them, you need to distribute them in equal amounts in the soil. The ability to release the nutrients slowly make them a perfect choice for the plants.
Is Osmocote toxic?
Osmocote is not toxic. However, the ingredients of these fertilizers may release hazardous gasses. In fact, there is a mix of several nutrients released with that.
These nutrients are major, secondary, and minor nutrients. So, they may release hazardous ammonia. That being said, they are not toxic. You may use them bare skin even if you are prone or allergic as osmocote is not toxic.
Osmocote derives from soybean oil which would act as the source of Nitrogen. Osmocote contains a highly porous coating that allows them to absorb the nutrients easily. So in simple words, the ingredients of the osmocote are not harmful for the plants as well as for the humans.
Can you dissolve Osmocote in water?
Osmocote would not dissolve in water directly simply due to the fact that they are made with time release formulas. As such you need to apply it without applying any water.
Can I use Osmocote and Miracle Grow together?
Yes certainly you could do that. So, considering that you have fed the plants with Osmocote, you may still proceed with fertilizing the plants with miracle-gro.
Final thoughts
I think you got the answer for your question “Can you use osmocote for succulents?”. As you now know Osmocote is a perfect option for you to feed the succulents.
If you apply it in the right amounts, it would be beneficial for the plants. Trust you found this article useful and that you were able to educate yourself on how to use them properly and how to yield the best results.
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