IMPORTANT; Do not liquid feed in late fall or early spring. What mulch is best for Japanese maple? And Good Luck!! Youll do best growing Japanese holly in light, well-drained soil with plenty of organic material. Over-fertilizing the Japanese maples can cause serious fertilizer burns in them. Read on to find out everything you need to know about growing Japanese holly shrubs. The best Japanese Maples for the Sun All Japanese maples tolerate partial shade. Also, this tree is on a fairly good sized slope, so water tends to drain away easily. What Is The Ideal Fertilizer Ratio For Japanese Maples? Commercially known as Polyon or Osmocote, these are the most common and both work very well on Japanese maples. The shrubs prefer slightly acidic soil and will develop iron deficiency if the soil pH is too high. Lupine It may be difficult for you to figure out how much fertilizer is actually needed for your Japanese maple. Hope this guide helped you understand the nutritional needs of your plant and the best time to fertilize Japanese maples. Switch to once a week watering schedule later. Tip 2 Fertilizing your Japanese maple with the proper type of fertilizer should be done either in late winter while the ground is still cold (frozen? It is also important to note that even the best fertilizer for Japanese maple trees cannot be used anytime and there are fixed times or seasons when we are supposed to use them. Divide the fertilizer between the holes and tuck the pellets into them. Thank you for your kind words, Jamie. Our exclusive Packs are sold in quantities of 3, 9 and 12. In the north, cold weather can damage the foliage of the species plant, so you'll . There are various granular and liquid fertilizer for Japanese maple available in the market. To keep your Japanese maple happy, youll need to site it correctly and apply fertilizer appropriately. Happy frog is also a fertilizer that is suitable for your Japanese maples and evergreens. Organic plant fertilizer enhanced with bio-tone Ideal for hollies, azaleas, dogwoods and other acid-loving plants Slow release fertilizer to be applied in spring and fall View More Details Package Size (lb. It isnt as picky as you might think, but it does have some definite preferences. You have a serious problem if all of the leaves on your Japanese maple turn brown and fall off. We recommend Plant-tone for these. Which Is The Best Fertilizer For Japanese Maple In A Container? Please choose options for all selected products. How To Plant Cherry Tomatoes Seeds To Start Cherry Tomato Plant, White Blossom Crabapple Tree Varieties (White Flowers), Ornamental Crabapple Tree Varieties | Flowering Types, Best Apple Varieties, Tree Types, and Popular Species. per 100 square feet. All of these are slow-release fertilizers. Instead, bore holes around 6 inches (15 cm.) How to fertilize Japanese maple with a granular fertilizer? Tall maples push branches and roots tightly against the house, despite the fact that the issue will not be apparent for 20 to 40 years. Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' Variegated Japanese False Holly, Ilex crenata 'Geisha' Dwarf Japanese Holly, Ilex x 'Rock Garden' Miniature Hybrid Holly, Plant-tone Organic All Purpose Plant Food, Picea glauca 'Pendula' Weeping White Spruce, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Van Den Akker' Narrow Alaska Cedar. Additionally, Japanese maple trees need full sun and partial shade to thrive. Finding a good site for your Japanese maple is the single best thing you can do to keep that tree healthy. Good options for maple pot fertilizers would be Azalea, EB Stones Rhody, and also Camellia food. Double the quantity if drip line diameter is three feet or larger. Dig a hole three times the width of the root ball, but not as deep. You can opt for a slow release organic fertilizer for Japanese maple with higher nitrogen proportion as per the NPK ratio. Related: How long does a maple tree live? There are many fertilizers available in the market. Please choose options for all selected products. Same directions as a potted plant except for instead of starting at a pots edge you can guesstimate the drip line and start there. Before that, I had started watering once every two weeks or so, because the plant seemed stressed. If the fertilizers are not used in adequate quantity, they can damage your maples. Feed them when they are a year old or during the second growing season during the onset of spring or late winter. Maybe the pests came after the tree was stressed. Keeping the soil moist is critical, as the soil should not go through alternate periods of dry and wet. The red color exists because of anthocyanins present in the maple leaves. The Sherwood Flame cultivar matures at about 10. For mature Japanese maple trees, a general guideline is 1/10 pound of nitrogen per inch of tree trunk diameter measured at 4 1/2 feet above the ground. Theyre fine in sub-zero temperatures, despite the fact that theyre not designed for the tundra. The #1 choice for feeding hollies, azaleas, camellias, evergreens, dogwoods, rhododendrons & more! Grow larger plants with deeper green color. I have moved JM in mid-summer and if enough roots and soil are left attached, they have moved with no problems. Best Offer: Make offer. It helps to spread a few inches (8 cm.) Distribute the fertilizer evenly in each hole, backfill and water in. You can use ericaceous compost while growing Norway maples in pot. This means that a 10 pound bag of 16-4-8 fertilizer has a total of 1.6 pounds of nitrogen in the entire bag. It lays out instructions for each type of plant to give it the best chance to grow. Japanese holly plants do best in zones 6 to 7 or 8, depending on the cultivar. Base the amount of fertilizer to use on the amount of nitrogen that is required. As a result, what is the best Japanese maple tree fertilizer? Thirdly, you have fertilizer spikes. If you are using too much nitrogen you need to stop. I bet they will make it. $50.00 - $450.00. Japanese holly plants do best in zones 6 to 7 or 8, depending on the cultivar. I picked off the caterpillar and some white goo, and then I used some Gardens Alive Bullseye spray. Japanese maples grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 to 8 and are simple to maintain if their soil is kept moist. The fertilizer that should be used is a controlled release type of nitrogen rich fertilizer. I thought that a transplant might help this particular plant, but a couple of people told me not to - I decided it couldn't be in worse shape if I did transplant it, so I took a risk and it paid off. Plant such small-maturing cultivars no more than 6 feet from the foundation, sidewalk, or driveway of a house. CONTAINS: Holly-tone is a rich blend of the finest natural & organic ingredients enhanced with our exclusive Bio-tone formula; 4-3-4 Fertilizer analysis with 5% sulfur. If it is Anthracnose, the disease is in the soil and stems, and the plant will not leaf out at all next spring, killing it. I feel a little better now since I got rid of the caterpillars or whatever, and the tree started perking up. Creating A Focal Point: What To Add For A Focal Point In The Garden, Japanese Maple Tree Lifespan: How Long Do Japanese Maples Live, Japanese Maple Grafting: Can You Graft Japanese Maples, How To Create A Secret Garden In Your Own Backyard, Reasons For No Brussels Sprouts On Plants, Selecting Zone 9 Grapes What Grapes Grow In Zone 9, Raised Bed Soil Depth: How Much Soil Goes In A Raised Bed, What Is Nectar: Why Do Plants Produce Nectar, What Is Soft Scale How To Recognize Soft Scale Insects, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Don't choose a container that is too large to start with because this often causes health problems for plants grown in pots. You need to keep in mind that for each inch of an adult Maple trees diameter measured at 4.5 ft above the ground level, you need to feed the tree 1/10 pound of nitrogen. I get tiny stems dying over winter but that's all. This spring, to my horror, my tree leafed out and about half the stems (including some large ones) were dead. A tree that has dehydrated can have brown edges. Bio Excel; . At Mr. Tree, we have already told you how to properly care for your maple tree, but now we want to get into more specifics and focus solely on the Japanese maple. The leaves then drop in late November or December. We have served the Portland metro area and all surrounding communities since 2000, with over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial tree care. They are found in the top 12 inches of the soil. In spring, exposed tender new growth is vulnerable to frost and freeze damage. The leaves are red or reddish-purple in color during the springtime and the fall. The usage instructions are written on the package and all you need to do is insert the spikes in in the soil. Holly-Tone Fertilizer application in early spring, just before the leaves emerge, will provide enough food for the entire season. It can be used for any acid-loving plants, such as blueberries, camellias, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas and more. Thank you all for your input! Fertilizing at the wrong time can cause damage to your tree. You might be wondering whether there is a need to fertilize your container maples. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter . Good Luck!! On the Optimum App for iPad, you cant watch recordings stored on your DVR cable box or Multi-Room DVR recordings. Juniper Japanese holly plants (Ilex crenata) grow into dense, rounded bushes between 3 and 10 feet (1-3 m.) tall and wide, with lustrous leaves and a compact habit. Fall transplanting is a no-no. A. Fertilizer spikes are actually a great option to use because they are easier to store and handle. The next fertilizer that we are going to discuss is granular fertilizer. Related: Japanese Maple Care Guide|Caring for Japanese Maples in Winter. Please note that no new or recent recurring charges will, Copyright 2023 TipsFolder.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Anthracnose may be a possibility. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. A Japanese maple brings such beautiful texture and color to your garden that youll want to take top care of the tree. The Japanese maple is a type of maple tree, and as with any tree, its important to know the conditions they thrive in so they can grow their healthiest. Each tea bag holds 12 grams of Holly-tone Organic Fertilizer. No wonder you needed help knowing what to do! Berry crops should be fed twice; early spring and late spring (45-60 days apart). Applying high amounts of nitrogen will cause excessively fast growth that will weaken the plant. How Often Should I Fertilize My Japanese Maple? Mountain Laurel The most suitable soil for Japanese Maple is moist soil which is well-drained along with being rich in organic matter. High amounts of nitrogen results in excessively fast growth that will weaken the plant. Applying high levels of nitrogen (N) is not recommended. A frost cloth or an old bed sheet can keep the new foliage from dying and stressing the tree during brief subfreezing temperatures. Fertilizers are capable of promoting growth and providing nutrients only when they are used in the required quantity. What is the best time to fertilize Japanese maple correctly is a basic question that comes to mind while planting a Japanese Maple. The quantity of the spikes required is dependent upon the ratio of the nitrogen. The texture of granular fertilizer is like grains, so you can use granular fertilizer by directly spreading it in that particular area. The shrubs offer small, greenish white flowers in springtime but they are neither fragrant nor showy. Holly-tone is a natural, organic fertilizer that's not just for Hollies. Use on all acid loving plants, trees and shrubs including: Amaryllis The #1 choice for feeding hollies, azaleas, camellias, evergreens, dogwoods, rhododendrons & more! Rhododendron Trees: Berry crops should be fed twice; early spring and late spring (45-60 days apart). You might try some in a protected space outside or in the basement or unheated garage, just to see which is the best way. Japanese maples require well-draining soil and will do poorly in clay or wet soil. Similar to trees, the amount of fertilizer used is based on how big the shrub is. Make sure you can choose the best fertilizer for Japanese maple which suits your trees age. If you want to learn when and how to fertilize a Japanese maple tree, read on. Right before planting water your potted Japanese maple tree thoroughly. I checked for scale, but found nothing. 97086, Now that weve covered the basics, lets take a look at the best fertilizer for Japanese maple trees. I yanked up a seedling from a sidewalk once and everyone said that I should put it in a pot but i threw it in the ground and it is about 4 feet tall now and super healthy. Fertilizer Spikes For Japanese Maple Trees? Dig 3 wide holes around the drip line that are 12-18 deep & 2-3 apart Divide the Holly-tone evenly and pour into the holes. A good way to help the tree survive the cold is to water well before the winter freeze. Hemlock When the foliage of a Japanese maple should always be red but the green leaf color dominates, its usually because the rootstock is taking over the trees growth. Drop the fertilizer into the holes and fill the remainder of the holes with soil. Japanese holly care includes regular irrigation to keep the soil moist. I did fertilize at the time and afterward read that you should never fertilize, but that was at the beginning of last year, at least, maybe longer ago. For that you firstly need to understand what your maple needs to grow well. I don't have a good JM nursery nearby, and I do not trust the other nurseries to be able to tell what is wrong from a cutting or pic. of organic mulch over the planting area to hold moisture in the soil. The Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) is a deciduous shade and ornamental tree with at least 19 known cultivars that display red and crimson colors. Follow recommended rates based on the tree size. I don't know, maybe I'm a little wacko but I think about things like corn versus Japanese maples. Yes, they are nutrient rich and suitable for the Japanese maple plant. Description The Original Natural & Organic fertilizer for all acid loving plants. In fall, some tiny stems turned white and died. Keep us posted!! Use a good quality potting mix when planting a Japanese Maple tree in a container. Description. While Holly-tone is not what I would use, and not something the Japanese Maples need! Well-drained soil is also a must. Fertilizing Japanese maples is an important part of the nurturing process. WHEN / HOW TO USE: Best to use Holly-tone fertilizer spring and fall on flowering & evergreen shrubs. Do Japanese maples lose their leaves Australia? Video: Indoor Plant Care with Garden Answer! These lovely trees are still tough many beautiful plants around the world have one fatal flaw: they are fragile! These pretty evergreen shrubs have small green leaves, shiny and spineless, and require very little maintenance. Some of the fertilizers are Down to Earth Tree and Shrub fertilizer, Espoma TR4 Tree-Tone, and Jobes Fertilizer Spikes. If a root problem, then it may not be a good future for the plant. tall. Evergreens I had to wait to cut off any branches because I wasn't sure whether they would leaf out. Additionally, the fertilizer should have high nitrogen levels, as this is what Japanese maple trees need most. "Shown is a Vintage Silver Tone Japanese Maple, Marijuana Pot Leaf Rhinestone Center Lapel Pin from a ". They give the soil essential nutrients that help to support growth and photosynthesis. Now that weve covered the basics, lets take a look at the best fertilizer for Japanese maple trees. So, then maybe it was the soil! Drill holes every 2-3 feet around the drip line of the tree, in the video Laura demonstrates using a drill and hole auger. Holly-tone The Original Natural & Organic fertilizer for all acid loving plants. Feed in the Spring and late Fall at half the Spring rate. Japanese maples regularly change leaf color throughout the growing season. Also, it is designed for more acid loving plants which some of my Japanese Maples are. The tree just really doesn't look great, and with Fall rapidly approaching, it would be so good to know how to help it so it can go into dormancy as healthy as poss. Add to cart. After placing the plant in the newly dug hole and burying the root mass half way place the packs equally around the plant just barley touching the outer most roots. It sounds like Anthracnose, it also sounds like sun and winter burn. Two years ago I had to move it because my neighbor's Hydrangea and Kousa Dogwood were growing too big due to his excess fertilization. The Osmocote fertilizer is also known as Polyon. You can trim off branch tips to remove dead wood and make the shape more aesthetically appealing. OR How much is a full grown Japanese maple worth? It can be used for any acid-loving plants, such as blueberries, camellias, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas and more. Camellia Established Plants: Sprinkle 1 tsp. However, a little Japanese maple fertilizer is enough, so exercise discretion in Japanese maple feeding. Prefers organic rich well drained soil. The numbers are a little bit more favorable: 4-3-4. My problem is: I am not sure that this is a pest problem. To maintain that redness, you must make sure that you provide the needed sunlight to the plant and not too much shade. We use both successfully in our Japanese maple production. Raspberry Water deeply twice a week; if its a newly planted or container-grown tree, water more frequently. If planting a slope, work from top to bottom. It seems to have none of the dieback problem it had last year. The basic idea here is to use a slow release nitrogen rich fertilizer. The Japanese maple tree is a versatile ornamental tree. Established garden beds are the simplest of the three to fertilize. Huckleberry Water thoroughly. Tip 3 During the first summer, I only recommend using liquid fertilizer like Miracle-Gro on Japanese maples to help establish the tree. Is it possible that Holly-tone almost killed my Maple? Fertilizer Requirements for the Kousa Dogwood, Special Formulated Fertilizers for Sweet Cherry Trees, Oregon State University: Fertilizing Shade and Ornamental Trees, Arbor Day Foundation: Tree Guide: Japanese Maple, Japanese Maples Online: Fertilizing Japanese Maples, How to clean a showerhead, according to an expert, The Types of Fertilizer to Deep-Feed a Magnolia Tree. Larger, upright-growing Japanese maple cultivars should not be planted as close together. So the problems sounds like fungal or a root problem. When fertilizing trees, first figure out the diameter of the tree trunk. We offer the highest quality work for you with a wide range of services. Blueberry Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! The seeds, buds, and flowers that grow on these trees attract small wildlife such as squirrels, chipmunks, songbirds, and quail. The most essential element for maples healthy growth is Nitrogen. Should you use controlled-release or liquid-type fertilizer? Firstly, you need to ensure that there are holes at the bottom of the container so that there can be proper drainage for your maple plant. We can come to look at your Japanese maple trees and your soil conditions and provide a recommendation for the fertilizer that will work best for your trees. The benefit of liquid fertilizer is that they are slightly cheaper and you can control the amount of fertilizer used. Holly-tone is an organic & natural fertilizer that's not just for Hollies. The best way you can deal with the fertilizer spikes is to use them 3 X nitrogen as compared to phosphorus. Pine It is weird though. Be sure to spread the fertilizer evenly across the ground. The answer for this is yes, you can use Miracle Gro on maple trees. Every fertilizer comes with a set of feeding instructions, read that instruction carefully before feeding. Complete fertilizers contain varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Slow-release fertilizers that are appropriate for Japanese maples have about three times more nitrogen than phosphorous. Heather I am inclined to agree with Todd, if enough roots were moved with the plant, just transplanting shouldn't kill it either. The reason to look for slow-release fertilizers for your Japanese maple trees is that this will give the tree a steady supply of nutrients over a period of time, instead of a quick supply of food. Although Japanese maples don't require a high amount of fertilizing, maintaining a low level of fertility throughout the season is necessary to keep your trees healthy and happy. The placement of your tree will determine how attractive and lush it will look and even how long it will live. You can stop liquid feeding once you see good growth. A. Epsom salts act as a tonic for the plants and are beneficial for them. If planting under trees, use a sharp hoe to grub out tree surface roots, add pachysandra cuttings and cover with fresh potting soil. Fertilizer spikes are your ideal answer to how to feed a Japanese maple tree. So here is the answer how to how to fertilize Japanese maple in containers. Triple the quantity for diameters 3 inches or larger. Japanese maple trees are a great species to plant in your yard. Note: Arborvitae and boxwoods are not acid-loving evergreens, so use Plant-tone instead. Use one pound of fertilizer for each inch of your tree. Portland I think I would probably be more of an underwaterer by nature. Japanese maples do not require a lot of nutrients. Sprinkle it around the inside edge of the pot and water in. A Japanese maple is a very slow growing plant which is why they cannot process large amounts of nitrogen. Also, over-fertilization can kill the maple tree. Well, just because we've almost lost it once, we can't protect it for ever. In the spring, a small amount of organic slow release fertilizer would be much better for your plants. I bought 30 different rare e-bay JM seedlings, hoping they'll make it in pots over the winter. The fertilizer spikes are useful as it contains pre-measured nutrients. The really awful part is that it was a gift from my MIL for our first anniversary 5 years ago. If the area is mulched either temporarily remove the mulch and feed or double the rate on top of the mulch. We recommend Plant-tone for these. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Avon Gold Tone Japanese Maple Leaf Brooch Pin 1.75" at the best online prices at eBay! Applying high amounts of nitrogen will cause excessively fast growth that will weaken the plant. It is safe to use in adequate quantity. What should I do? Did pizza hut stop selling detroit style pizza. It really could be several different things, have you taken a pic, or a small specimen from the tree into a good tree nursery??? Although that is an indication of nutrient deficiency in other trees, it should not be used alone in determining whether or not a Japanese maple needs to be fertilized. Last year, the Laceleaf showed some crisping of leaves. You need to fertilize them but after they reach 12 months. Be careful if you are using other lawn fertilizers near your Japanese maple trees. So would using Holly Tone be better for my plan? The roots are protected from winter damage by applying a thick layer of mulch over the root area of the tree, up to 4 inches thick. 3. deep into the soil around the tree, about halfway between the main trunk and the drip line of the branches. After a year, in the growing stage you can apply the fertilizer in late winter or early spring. Long lasting, slow-release feeding with our exclusive Bio-tone Microbes. So please do not over-fertilize your plant thinking that it will stimulate fast maple growth. The crisping seems to have stopped, and leaves are sprouting back a bit. They make eye-catching focal points for any backyard, and many cultivars delight you with fiery fall displays. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! When using a slow-release pellet-type fertilizer, it is best to bore holes about 6 inches deep into the soil about half way between the main trunk and the drip line of the branches. If you fertilize other plants in the Japanese maple trees' area at the same time, use the guideline of 1/10 pound of nitrogen per 100 square feet. They make eye-catching focal points for any backyard, and many cultivars delight you with fiery fall displays. Can you watch DVR recordings with the Optimum App? Fir Always remember to read the package instructions to correctly know how to fertilize a Japanese maple. Azalea The Sherwood Flame cultivar matures at about 10 feet tall and has reddish purple leaves in spring and summer, and the Autumn Glory cultivar reaches 10 to 25 feet tall and gains its crimson color in fall. I live in a colder and far windier area than you and I have little problems with my dissectum which is growing in full sun and full wind. Its easy to learn how to care for Japanese holly if you plant it in the right hardiness zone in an appropriate garden location. Choose a suitable variety; some varieties are more resistant to burning than others. I am still puzzled by what had happened. Choose a suitable variety; some varieties are more resistant to burning than others. 2. It is suitable for Japanese maples. It pays to trust your instincts. The Sulfur is the component in Holly Tone that makes the soil acidic in nature when it is used. I don't think I am overwatering. Lily-of-the-Valley The #1 choice for feeding hollies, azaleas, camellias, evergreens, dogwoods, rhododendrons & more! Spread the fertilizer evenly around the tree, starting at least 1 foot away from the trunk and beyond the tree's drip line. Gardenia Some grow slow and some relatively fast, so pick your cultivar carefully. I recommend using a slow or controlled release type fertilizer. Apply a slow-release granular shrub and tree fertilizer and mix it at half the recommended rate for landscape trees. It is also responsible for your maples lush green foliage. Should I feed my Japanese maple, one might wonder later. He has authored several articles in peer-reviewed science journals in the field of tissue engineering. The liquid fertilizers are available in the market in concentrated form and can be diluted with water and applied to plants using a watering can. Grow larger plants with deeper green color. Tip 2 Fertilizing your Japanese maple with the correct fertilizer should be done in late winter (while the ground is still cold (frozen?) This will help you determine how much fertilizer to use. Oooh, go for it! Winter shows off red young shoots. Keep Japanese Maple healthy in the summer by keeping them moist and damp, as well as mulch and regular watering. To plant, dig a trench 3 inches deep and up to 4 feet long. The best ones available in the market are Miracle Gro Shake n Feed, Osmocote, Jobes, and Polyon. Shrubs: You can plant the shrubs in almost any garden location since they tolerate full sun or partial shade. In fact, I thought that was what killed the little stems when this whole problem began. It is the best-suited fertilizer that will provide all the necessary nutrients to your maple. Holly-tone is an organic & natural fertilizer thats not just for Hollies. per quart.). Japanese maples look best and develop thicker stems when allowed to grow at a slower speed. Using an organic slow-release fertilizer will be a good option. As a general rule of thumb for every inch of your trees trunk above 4.5 ft, use 1/10 pound of Nitrogen rich fertilizer. You can use this Japanese maple tree fertilizer by mixing 2 tablespoons of it with a gallon of soil. Acer Palmatum Osakazuki has the reddest color of all Acers. It is important to note that Japanese maples cannot be fertilized any time of the year as this will lead to damaging your plant. In cases where the soil is a bit too wet or has become compacted, the fertilizer should instead be applied in holes that are six to eight inches deep, all in the same area. Established acid-loving plants should be fed twice yearly, spring and late fall. Youll want to give the plants ample time to adapt to their new conditions. The tree is doing fine in it's pot, protected by my house, and I planted a Wine and Roses Weigela in the spot where the tree was and it is thriving. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots. Proper fertilization is one of the keys to successfully growing Japanese maples. Nitrogen is the most important component for increasing twig and leaf growth, and phosphorous and potassium are involved in photosynthesis and other processes. Weak branches can lead to damage if you are located where icing during winter is a problem. Since then I am taking more of a chance. I'm also slightly curious about another product made by the same folks called Holly Tone. Sign up for our newsletter. The only drawback is that they have concentrated effect where they are inserted in the soil. I can't imagine it did unless the roots just suddenly reached the fertilizer over the winter. Use the guideline of 1/10 pound of nitrogen per 100 square feet if you fertilize other plants in the Japanese maple tree area at the same time. Holly-tone is an organic, slow-release fertilizer and is enhanced with Bio-tone microbes, so it is very safe to use.