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Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

Posted by ahriman z9 Spain (My Page) on
Thu, Mar 23, 06 at 17:58

Hello,

I'm growing from seeds the nice Mudgee Wattle (Acacia Spectablis) and I would be grateful if someone can advice me about the most appropiate fertilizer for it.

Thanks!


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

I think your Acacias would probably benefit more from a cow or horse manure in a mulch around the drip line of the plant than trying them on a fertiliser. Strongest I'd go would be the old style Blood and Bone if you prefer using a commercial product.
These plants in the wild will grow in most soils, often where other plants would be struggling.

I'd err on the side of caution with these plants and any fertilisers.


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RE: Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

Hi, thanks for your advice.

They are growing slower than expected (maybe I sowed them a bit later than desirable) and I supposed that they would need some fertilizer.

Regards from Spain.


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RE: Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

  • Posted by roysta Gosford NSW (My Page) on
    Sat, Mar 25, 06 at 18:57

I guess it's difficult to know what fertilisers you can get access to in Spain.
This is the type of plant in Australia that probably would never need a fertiliser, but if so, it would be a slow release variety sprinkled around the plant a couple of inches below the surface.
Spring and autumn are the usual times to fertilise, and blood and bone (as previously mentioned) would be okay, just be careful not to overuse it.


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RE: Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

Ahriman I'd very cautious about the wattles you choose to grow in Spain. Australian wattles have a penchant to becoming environmental weeds when grown outside their natural range within Australia. Examples are Cootamundra Wattle, Sallow Wattle and Golden Wreath Wattle.

I am sure you do not want to be responsible for unleashing an Australian native environmental weed in western Europe.

Go to my website and follow the 'Environmental weeds' link on the left hand side. This will give you some idea of the damage that environmental weeds can do to the local environment whether it is in Australia or Spain.

Here is a link that might be useful: My web site


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RE: Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

Gee, Greg,

I actually live in Mudgee, home of A. spectabilis, and I can tell you, they're a rare commodity even here...doubt that they'd be an environmental weed anywhere (although I do agree with your general advice!)

I remember Peter Olde saying that this one is in his top 3 of all the Acacias for beauty (from around 1200 species), and I can vouch for that. ("Spectabilis" means "showy").
I've managed to kill 4 or 5 before getting one to grow...

For more info, see this site.

Regards,

Shax

Here is a link that might be useful: Mudgee Wattle


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RE: Appropriate fertilizer for wattle

Pinus radiata is considered endangered in its natural habitat. Grown elsewhere it is sufficiently different to local plants to avoid most pests and disease, so it grows like crazy.


 
 

 

 


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