I want to simplify my fertilizer usage. Is there anyone here who use Osmocote exclusively or have experience with using it as their main fertilizer? There seems to be different release rate, 3, 6 and 9 months. Is there are pro an con to choosing the 3 months release version over the 9 month version? Is salinization a concern?

I'm thinking of getting a 50lbs bag of the Plus version and applying it once a year to save the trouble and cost of buying all the other stuff.

As I get older, I don't like to make extra work for myself. I usually add Osmocote to my seedlings' growing medium, and that's it. Other than that, they get whatever compost or mulch I have dumped onto the garden soil. I think it's 3 or 6 month stuff, and it's 14-14-14. I'm sure I don't get the biggest yields, but I'm working with clay and 6 hours of sun. Your best way to find out would be to do it one year. I don't think you'll fail miserably.

I have used it a lot. I like the one with the equal npk numbers. The pink bag has too much nitrogen. Plants grow rapidly with it, but get too big and fall over.

Osmocote is really good stuff. The brand name is a bit expensive though. I just bought a 50 lb. bag of Florikan 17-5-11 from A M Leonard for about $85 on their free shipping special.

[mention]maxjohnson[/mention] the 3,6, and 9 months relate to how long the prills release fertiliser for. If your season is about 6 months long, stick with the 6 month version, of longer than about 8 months I would look at the 9 month version, if less than 5 months, go with the 3 month one. Chance of salinaton from this is minimal.

It's also temperature related. The max months are at the optimal temp. If it's hotter, it doesn't last as long.

Anyone use this Osmocote in SIP's? How do you apply it? Mix it in or strips near the top. I am interested in trying it in my grow bags on my RGGS.