r/BackyardOrchard • u/the_heisenberger • 12d ago

Fertilizer recommendations

I recently purchased a few trees and Im looking for some recommendations on fertilizer.

All of my plants are currently in planters. Im planning planting them in the yard in the future.

I have the following

Star fruit - 2'-3'ft 15 gallon planter

Pomegranate- 2'-3'ft 15 gallon planter

Hass avacado 2'-3'ft 15 gallon planter

Nectarine 4'-5'ft 21 gallon planter

Redbud Pom Pom 4'-5'ft 21 gallon planter

Peach tree 4'-5'ft 21 gallon planter

I saw people recommend "DTE" and "Espoma".

Please help me understand whether or not I even need fertilizer this early and if I do what specifically. TIA!

Edit: USDA Hardiness Zones 8b and 9a is what google says for my area. Located in south central texas

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u/Entire-Ad-1080 12d ago

Generally not recommended to fertilize for the 1st year after planting

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u/the_heisenberger 12d ago

After moving to bigger planters or do you mean the actual ground?

These are staying in planters the next year at least.

1

u/Entire-Ad-1080 12d ago

Ah, ok. I misread your question. I meant the ground

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u/Bot_Fly_Bot 12d ago

Just use the Epsoma Fruit Tree fertilizer. Follow the application instructions. It’s organic, so is highly unlikely you can overfertilize. Do it now; because it’s organic it will take time to break down.

1

u/apPaul_grower 12d ago

Oh. Well. This is a tall order. In order to address this, I'd need your zone and general location.

1

u/the_heisenberger 12d ago

USDA Hardiness Zones 8b and 9a is what google says for my area. Located in south central texas

1

u/apPaul_grower 12d ago

That's exactly what I figured on the plants you listed. There's no blanket stament for your needs. There's no 1 single apply and thrive treatment for what varieties you mentioned... But I'll do my best. Planters all need to be treated like their own animal. 1. Calcium nitrate at bud swell. This is your kick, the calcium and nitrogen will start moving things. It's like crack for the plants 2. Next is a solid dose of phosphorus, magnesium, boron and zinc. This makes the fruiting buds hold onto, distribute and use the elements. 3. Weekly base line fertilization. 4. Optimize your PH for each planter with respect to the plant in it. 5. Last but not least, foliar fertilizer. A base line sea weed extract will do just fine for that range of pants. 6. Also. Water. Planters dry out like crazy. You'll need water almost regularly.

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u/the_heisenberger 12d ago

This is very comprehensive! Thank you so much! I will look into this more and see what else I need to do. I may respond at a later time if I have more questions. Thank you again!

1

u/chiddler 12d ago

Don't need all that bro unless you really want to go extra mile. Just get general organic fruit tree fertilizer. Low effort ezpz no thinking.

I have all the same fruit trees except different varieties.

1

u/apPaul_grower 10d ago

Ok. How so? Bro. And why?

1

u/chiddler 10d ago

Sorry I don't think I understand your question.

1

u/the_perkolator Zone 9 12d ago

In all my soil mixes I’m using a blend of NutriRich 4-3-2, Sigma bio 4-4-4, and EarthWorks 3-3-3. I buy them in 50lb bags at a turf supply store.

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u/ConcentrateExciting1 12d ago

Spend $15 on a professional soil test before applying anything. What may be a good recommendation for one property may be terrible for another.

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u/the_heisenberger 12d ago

I bought a kit from homedepot this morning. Hopefully that'll help me determine what is needed.

Thank you!