When to start fertilizing seedlings?

[Nievesgirl]

I know a lot of Hybridizers have their own method so what is yours Charlie? I got a few answers in yahoo and some said use half solution of fertilzer if they have more than 4 leaves every few weeks.

[Charlie]

They can be fertilized as soon as they get their first pair of true leaves. Since I use a moderate dose with every watering I don't reduce it further for the seedlings. They do just fine with the same fertilizer that all the other hibiscus get. Where you have to be careful is with time release fertilizer, which can burn them badly if used in small pots. I didn't really believe that when I first heard the warning, but then it happened to me - ouch!

Charlie

[Nievesgirl]

They can be fertilized as soon as they get their first pair of true leaves. Since I use a moderate dose with every watering I don't reduce it further for the seedlings. They do just fine with the same fertilizer that all the other hibiscus get. Where you have to be careful is with time release fertilizer, which can burn them badly if used in small pots. I didn't really believe that when I first heard the warning, but then it happened to me - ouch!

Charlie

With your fertilizer do you think I should diluted more or do you think the one teaspoon per gallon would be ok ?

I was so afraid to fertilize my seedlings I read so much stuff about killing them but I did not know when you could start. My seedlings are already 6 months old ..... So i better start.

[Charlie]

Hi Kerry,

Start off with 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water of HVH Specialblend. How much you can use depends partly on how you water. If the pots drain into a saucer and the excess is poured off you can use more fertilizer but if everything that gets poured into the pot stays in the pot, or is drawn back into the pot from the saucer as the pot dries out, then you have to be more careful. 1/2 teaspoon is a very low dose and won't hurt them at all. If they are 6 months old and have not been fertilized they need to be. You don't want them to take several years to reach first bloom, but for them to bloom next summer they need to be well nourished and eventually get some direct sunlight. 

[Nievesgirl]

Hi Kerry,

Start off with 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water of HVH Specialblend. How much you can use depends partly on how you water. If the pots drain into a saucer and the excess is poured off you can use more fertilizer but if everything that gets poured into the pot stays in the pot, or is drawn back into the pot from the saucer as the pot dries out, then you have to be more careful. 1/2 teaspoon is a very low dose and won't hurt them at all. If they are 6 months old and have not been fertilized they need to be. You don't want them to take several years to reach first bloom, but for them to bloom next summer they need to be well nourished and eventually get some direct sunlight.  

Thanks Charlie.

I was wondering why some of my seedlings looked soooo small. When I transplanted them they where competing for space The bigger seedlings had nice healthy roots while the smaller ones looked like they where still younger. They should be happy now.