Mixing up the feed

Ilikeplants

I have FBB and bonemeal mixed in one tub. Is this ok? The paper boxes became fragile when damp and I didn’t want to have lots of different containers. If I could find chicken pellets I’d add it to this feeding mix I was thinking. Good idea?

amancalledgeorge

If you add extra bonemeal then the composition of FBB is altered. If you didn't obviously need the neat bonemeal then maybe don't buy it in the first place, as it's in FBB anyway? Pelletised chicken manure has also a different function/benefit so don't see how it can be put in the same pot. There are fertilisers that combine organic and inorganic components but they are mixed in the correct proportions to keep their functional attributes encouraging root development, more vigorous foliage or fruit and flowers. Having them separately gives you control, or buying them as a broad spectrum product like FBB it's useful having the right balance. 

Ilikeplants

Thanks, I didn’t have a choice with this this time - only one handy container to hand and boxes splitting. I’ll just us these up for now as they’ve been mixed now so fingers crossed it’s still going to do some good. 

Pete.8

I agree - you have a 'balanced' fertilizer (FBB) and by mixing in bonemeal results in an unbalanced fertilizer
At least you'll get good root growth

Ilikeplants

Oh dear, live and learn. I’m just going to use it on veg and fruit beds. 

amancalledgeorge

We've all been faced with a disintegrating paper box...pick an old shopping bag as a temporary solution and a tub will appear with some fat balls or something.  At least it's all slow release organic fertilizers can't imagine it would do any harm in small quantities. 

Ilikeplants

First time I’ve used these as normally use grow more or chicken manure. Plastic containers recyclable of course would have been useful for these items. 

nick615

There's a definite case here for opportunist salvage.  If you wait for a need to present itself, the required item can never be found, which is why my shed's full of things that 'could come in useful one day', including containers of many types.  However, with nutrient I'm always confused so, using the perfection of nature, if an animal relieves itself in a particular spot, then the wind blows a load of leaves off a nearby tree, and an unfortunate bird's carcass decomposes too, I've always assumed the next seed that germinates there will feed on the elements of nutrition it needs from the available selection.  So, to pick up on George's post, he's obviously right in saying an unbalanced feed can be created by mixing but is that a problem to be avoided?

Ilikeplants

Very philosophical @nick615
Even mixed imbalanced feeding might be better than none, which is what I’ve been guilty of before so everything has to just take its chances here. It’s so or die. Everything is going to get a month feed from now until the feed finishes.