Fertilizing medlar requires a little finesse. The right amount ensures vigorous growth and lush flowering in summer. Incorrect fertilization is dangerous.
In the spring, the medlar should be fertilized
Tips for fertilizing
The fertilization of the photinia should be neither too weak nor too intensive. The tree requires nutrients throughout the growing season, from the development of leaves in spring to the ripening of fruit in autumn. Therefore, photinia should be fertilized in spring, before the new growth phase begins.
A fertilizer that provides nutrients over a long period of time is ideal. If you use a slow-release fertilizer or a depot fertilizer, you won't have to fertilize again until next year. Tree nurseries often add a depot fertilizer to the substrate to support root growth. In this case, you can do without fertilizing in the first year.
Suitable fertilizers
Any commercially available substrate is suitable for fertilizing medlar, with long-term and depot fertilizers such as Osmocote or Basacote being the most suitable. These fertilizers fall into the category of compound fertilizers. There are also a number of liquid fertilizers that are added to the irrigation water. They provide a quick remedy when the plant loses leaves due to a lack of nutrients. Liquid fertilizers include special NPK fertilizers for medlar. They mainly contain nitrogen, phosphate and potassium oxide as well as various trace nutrients. Liquid fertilizers are suitable for spraying the moistened root areas and leaves.
You should pay attention to this when using foliar fertilizers:
- no direct sunlight
- warm temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius
- Dilute liquid fertilizer with water
Dangers of incorrect fertilization
If the plants are fertilized too often, the nutrients accumulate in the substrate. Nitrogen is the main risk. In excessive amounts, it ensures that the wood on the young twigs does not fully mature. The plants become more susceptible to the freezing temperatures in winter. Horn shavings (€32.93) releases nitrogen over a long period of time and is therefore not suitable as a fertilizer for medlar.
A lack of nutrients affects the development of leaves and flowers. Flower buds dry up and die. A severe lack of nutrients can mean that the medlar does not bloom and loses leaves. The plant is weakened, making it more susceptible to pathogens and parasites.
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