The following table of soil amendments is a handy reference
to rose growers that we bonsai enthusiasts may find beneficial,
especially when growing bonsai in the ground. Some amendments
may not be readily available here.
|
Amendment |
N–P–K |
Other Nutrients |
Comments |
|
Alfalfa meal/pellets |
2.7-0.5-2.8 |
.2% sulfur, micronutrients |
Well balanced, slowly available,
growth stimulants |
|
Blood Meal |
13-2-0 |
Not a significant source of other
nutrients |
Rapidly available nitrogen. Stimulates
microbes |
|
Bone Meal |
3-2-0.5 |
24% calcium |
Rapidly available phosphorus. Mildly
increases pH. |
|
Compost |
1-0.8-1 |
4% sulfur, 0.2% calcium, 0.1% magnesium |
Balanced, slow release |
|
Cottonseed Meal |
8-2-2 |
Not a significant source of other
nutrients |
Rapidly available nitrogen |
|
Epsom Salts |
0-0-0 |
13% sulfur, 10% magnesium |
Rapidly available magnesium and
sulfur source |
|
Fish Emulsion |
5-2-2 |
5% sulfur |
Rapidly available nitrogen |
|
Fish Meal |
10-4-4 |
Not a significant source of other
nutrients |
Rapidly available nitrogen |
|
Granite Meal |
0-4-0 |
Micronutrients |
Very slow release of phosphorus.
Will build up reserves in the soil. |
|
Gypsum |
0-0-0 |
17% sulfur, 22% calcium |
Slowly available source of sulfur
and calcium. Does not affect pH. |
|
Kelp Meal |
1-0.2-2 |
3% sulfur, micronutrients |
Contains growth stimulants. Slow
release of potassium and micronutrients. |
|
Lime (dolomitic) |
0-0-0 |
51% calcium, 40% magnesium |
Used to increase pH. Slow release
of calcium and magnesium. |
|
Manure (cow) |
2-1-2.4 |
0.5% sulfur, 0.2% calcium, micronutrients |
Best when composted. |
|
Manure (horse) |
2-1-2.5 |
1% sulfur, 0.2% calcium, micronutrients |
Rapid release when fresh. Slow release
when dry. |
|
Manure (chicken) |
4-3-1 |
0.2% sulfur, 2% calcium, 0.3% magnesium |
Very rapidly available nitrogen
and phosphorus. Should be composted. |
|
Oak Leaves |
0.8-0.4-0.1 |
Micronutrients |
Very slow release, improves soil
structure. |
|
Rock Phosphate |
0-30-0 |
33% calcium, micronutrients |
Slowly available phosphorus and
calcium. Will increase pH. |
|
Soybean Meal |
6-1-2 |
0.8% magnesium, micronutrients |
Rapidly available nitrogen |
|
Sul-Pol-Mag |
0-0-22 |
19% sulfur, 10% magnesium |
Don’t use with dolomite lime.
Rapidly available potassium and magnesium. |
