Osmocote 17-17-17 vs 14-14-14

tjg911 · May 31, 2007

I can't find the Osmocote I normally use for container plants, in this case eggplant.
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I was told by container (tomato) growing experts a few years ago that the correct Osmocote to use has the green label and was called Vegetable and Bedding it is 14-14-14. I am running out of it.
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This year the only Osmocote I can find has a pink label but it is not called Vegetable and Bedding and I forget the name but it is 19-6-12, a far cry from 14-14-14.
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I did see next to the Osmocote on the same shelf a near identical product with a different brand name and it is a vegetable and plant slow time release food that is 17-17-17. This is at Walmart if that matters.
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I'd think that the product that's 17 is just a tad higher in N-P-K vs the 14 so I'm assuming it is ok to use it since I can't find the 14-14-14 and 19-6-12 is way off the 14's.
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OK to use the 17 vs the 14?
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Tom

feldon30 · May 31, 2007

Personally I think 14-14-14 is high for tomatoes, but this is only my second year, so it's not by experience but just logic that I prefer a lower first number. I would see if you can find bone meal and rock phosphate and mix up your own stuff, but that's just my opinion.

amideutch · May 31, 2007

tjg911, alot of Tvillians use Miracle Grow for tomatoes and it is 15-30-15.Since you are talking about slow release I don't believe you would have any problems with the 17-17-17. Ami

hunter · May 31, 2007

17-17-17 Osmocote should be fine. I've used the 14-14-14 for years in my raised beds for cukes, eggplants and peppers. I doubt 17-17-17 would be a problem. You can buy the 14-14-14 online at Amazon.com of all places.

CLa · May 31, 2007

I picked up some 4-10-6 for pretty cheap (Hi-yield) was the brand. Called tomato and vegetable plant food or something like that. I think I picked that up at home depot, could have been lowes though. Been a few weeks. Walmart here has a 9-12-12. Both good balance for maters.

Worth1 · May 31, 2007

I use 13-13-13 but 17-17-17 is fine just don't use as much of it.

Worth

jdwhitaker · May 31, 2007

I use the 19-6-12 for all container plants, including vegetables (1 TBSP per gallon of container soil) and supplement with Miracle Gro and/or fish emulsion when I get the urge. No phosphorus deficiency problems or excess nitrogen symptoms have occurred.

The 17-17-17 will work just as well (as would 14-14-14). Container fertilization tends to be more precise than growing in the ground, but there is still a good margin for error.

Remember that the Osmocote type fertilizers don't usually have micronutrients, so it's a good idea to supplement them with some sort of fertilizer containing micros.

Jason

May 31, 2007	#1
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	Osmocote 17-17-17 vs 14-14-14 I can't find the Osmocote I normally use for container plants, in this case eggplant. . I was told by container (tomato) growing experts a few years ago that the correct Osmocote to use has the green label and was called Vegetable and Bedding it is 14-14-14. I am running out of it. . This year the only Osmocote I can find has a pink label but it is not called Vegetable and Bedding and I forget the name but it is 19-6-12, a far cry from 14-14-14. . I did see next to the Osmocote on the same shelf a near identical product with a different brand name and it is a vegetable and plant slow time release food that is 17-17-17. This is at Walmart if that matters. . I'd think that the product that's 17 is just a tad higher in N-P-K vs the 14 so I'm assuming it is ok to use it since I can't find the 14-14-14 and 19-6-12 is way off the 14's. . OK to use the 17 vs the 14? . Tom

May 31, 2007	#3
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	tjg911, alot of Tvillians use Miracle Grow for tomatoes and it is 15-30-15.Since you are talking about slow release I don't believe you would have any problems with the 17-17-17. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

May 31, 2007	#2
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Personally I think 14-14-14 is high for tomatoes, but this is only my second year, so it's not by experience but just logic that I prefer a lower first number. I would see if you can find bone meal and rock phosphate and mix up your own stuff, but that's just my opinion.

May 31, 2007	#4
hunter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 213	17-17-17 Osmocote should be fine. I've used the 14-14-14 for years in my raised beds for cukes, eggplants and peppers. I doubt 17-17-17 would be a problem. You can buy the 14-14-14 online at Amazon.com of all places.

May 31, 2007	#5
CLa Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central Louisiana. Zone: 8 Posts: 207	I picked up some 4-10-6 for pretty cheap (Hi-yield) was the brand. Called tomato and vegetable plant food or something like that. I think I picked that up at home depot, could have been lowes though. Been a few weeks. Walmart here has a 9-12-12. Both good balance for maters.

May 31, 2007	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I use 13-13-13 but 17-17-17 is fine just don't use as much of it. Worth

May 31, 2007	#7
jdwhitaker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Andrews, Texas Posts: 104	I use the 19-6-12 for all container plants, including vegetables (1 TBSP per gallon of container soil) and supplement with Miracle Gro and/or fish emulsion when I get the urge. No phosphorus deficiency problems or excess nitrogen symptoms have occurred. The 17-17-17 will work just as well (as would 14-14-14). Container fertilization tends to be more precise than growing in the ground, but there is still a good margin for error. Remember that the Osmocote type fertilizers don't usually have micronutrients, so it's a good idea to supplement them with some sort of fertilizer containing micros. Jason