posted by: sandyl on 02.28.2012 at 04:57 pm in Clematis Forum
NOTES:
posted by: gardengal48 on 03.11.2012 at 07:17 pm in Clematis Forum
I've have never found any documentation other than anecdotal reports that Epsom salts supplies anything of significant merit (very few garden soils are magnesium deficient) so that's one I'd skip. The alfalfa tea is good organic source of nitrogen and also contains a natural growth hormone that can encourage additional stem development -- it can't hurt if applied in moderation. I used to raise rabbits and used their manure - partially digested alfalfa - in much the same manner to great effect. But it is not a product you should continue to apply throughout the season, whereas you could certainly do so with the fish emulsion or any other multipurpose liquid fertilizer.
Typically, the recommendation is to fertilize clems at the same time you prune them which is right about now :-)
FWIW, alfalfa tea will ferment and become anaerobic if made in large batches and stored and it has minimal effect as a foliar spray. Make what you need now as a soil drench and wait to make up more until you need it. You can also mash up the alfalfa pellets and apply them dorectly to the soil in spring or at planting time. Alfalfa begins to decompose very quickly and can generate a lot of heat when it does so be sure to keep the pellets away from tender roots. This is not a concern with the tea.
posted by: GreenHavenGarden on 03.11.2012 at 10:03 am in Clematis Forum