Separate food for flowers, plants and veg necessary?

[onefivenine]

Hello again

I'm thinking about buying some plant food but not sure whether to just get an 'all-in-one' type feed to keep things simple or, separate foods.

I have a few bushes in pots, a Camellia 'Margaret Davies' and a Dwarf Rhododenron in ericaceous soil, for which I've seen special food in B&Q, and I'm also growing Toms in baskets, Dwarf Broad Beans, Dwarf Runner beans.

Don't mind spending the pennies if it's worthwhile getting separate food but would like to hear any advice on whether it's necessary, and also any particular products you'd recommend.

'All-in-one' seems like a nice easy option if the results are going to be the same!

[zazen999]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...nts_14854.html

Generally, if your root veg have too much nitrogen, you'll get lovely leaves and no root veg.

So, if you aren't growing any root veg, or aren't intending feeding them with tomato feed - you should be ok.

I use tom food for all those that fruit or flower, root food for roots, and seaweed [only just started this but the beans love it] for everything.

[FionaH]

Is blood fish and bone a suitable allrounder?

[onefivenine]

Thanks Zazen.

So is it fair to say that an all-in-one food would be fine for everything except the root vegetables? Get separate high-potash/low nitrogen feed for them.
Same feed for potatoes and carrots?

What about the ericaceous flowering plants..... would tomato food be good for them?

[zazen999]

Thanks Zazen.

a - So is it fair to say that an all-in-one food would be fine for everything except the root vegetables? Get separate high-potash/low nitrogen feed for them.
Same feed for potatoes and carrots?

b - What about the ericaceous flowering plants..... would tomato food be good for them?

a - that's what I do....have a read of that thread that Piskie put together

b - I don't - I have ericaceous fertiliser and mine get a boost in the spring and in the autumn

[onefivenine]

Is blood fish and bone a suitable allrounder?

Do you have to mix that in to the soil/compost before planting? Or can you scatter it on containers that are already established?

I think liquid food would be the most practical for me.

[IgglePiggle]

Is blood fish and bone a suitable allrounder?

I think growmore is the all rounder looking at westland

Growmore
NPK 7-7-7

Fish, Blood and Bone
NPK 5-5-6

Also Homebase do 10kg tub of either one for £7.49

[FionaH]

thanks for that Iggle

[Two_Sheds]

I only feed plants that are looking "iffy".

Plants that are annuals can get all they need from the soil. Perennials or greedy feeders (pumpkins) might need a boost, but otherwise don't worry too much.

[Eyren]

Based on what you are growing, I would just get some tomato food and start feeding it when the first fruits set - don't feed before that point, though. The beans fix nitrogen from the air in root nodules, so actually improve soil fertility if you cut down the plant rather than pull it up roots and all. Do water the runners, though, as they are thirsty!

Can't comment on the ornamentals, but I would only feed them if they seem to need it (e.g. if they've been in containers a while).