Fertiliser 20.5

Hello those knowledgeable in fertilising products.

Today I bought a 5 kilo bag of fertiliser 20.5 granules (10.5 nitrate, 10.5 ammonia, 7 calcium) for my grapefruit and lime trees for 6 Euros. There is virtually no information for usage so I assume people buying it know what they are doing, unlike my goodself ... and looking on the net it says to sprinkle around the trees/plants and water in, or dissolve in water first. I think I have a lifetime supply here ...

Has anyone used this and, if so, how do you recommend I apply it to the fruit trees. I understand it is also good for tomatoes and melons. Can it be used on Brugmansias?

As I am useless when it comes to chemicals, any information/advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Isn't that the stuff normally known (in reverse order) as CAN - Calcium Ammonium Nitrate that's used to make explosives? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAN_IED

 

The only advice I can offer is I have two, a summer fertiliser and a winter one.

Hopefully should be a interesting read

 

It is, but you need more ingredients.

When I was a youngster, a mate and I found this old derelict farm house and that became our headquarters for chemical experiments.

We tried loads of stuff and took huge chances.
It was a case of "try and see" based on what info could be gleaned from books in the local library.
No internet in those days.
Our parents were really proud of us for spending so much time in the library, if only they knew.

 

And did you blow the roof off?

 

It doesn't sound like anything like a balanced fertilizer to me, my guess would be mostly nitrogen, with some calcium.
Kind of stuff farmers use on wheat crops perhaps.

Not sure citrus would like extra calcium, but I could be wrong.

 

Haa haa, no, but we did blow up lots of other things.
Pretty much anything we could drag in there like wooden crates, pieces of old furniture people were throwing out, toys, you name it, we probably blew it to smithereens.
It's actually amazing how many chemicals that are found in the average household can go boooom when mixed.

 

Actually, citrus do like extra calcium ... I used it to get rid of the yellowing leaves last month, also on the Brugs and Hibiscus ...

 

@Victoria

I see you're in Portugal, Você fala Português?

 

Was that calcium or magnesium?

 

Olá Dave ...Só um pouco ... e muito mais ...


Pete, it was Calcium ... actually I was using the 'people' Calcium from Aldi, the tubes of fizzy things which I particularly dislike but Sis had bought them, so I put a couple in a jug, fill with water, let it settle down and water ... simplz ... ... really takes the yellowing out quickly!

 

Até mesmo um pouco é melhor que nada.

Apologies to other members. Normal service will now resume.

 

You've got me confused.

 

Victoria's product is indeed most likely to be a variant of CAN. Ammonium Nitrate is explosive but it needs to be under certain conditions which will probably not be the case in Victoria's circumstance, so don't worry. CAN is AN but with a calcium coating which somewhat mitigates the risk and helps regulate pH a little. CAN is a very good source of nitrogen which will be useful and the calcium will help fruit ripen and store well. Victoria will probably also need some potash which will help with the development of flowers and fruit.

I had trouble trying to quote one of the earlier contributors and still not sure how its done! Can be tricky being a newbie so please forgive any errors!

 

Should we tell 'em?
Naaah.