Whether as a hedge, privacy screen or windbreak – cherry laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree that blooms in spring. The performance of cherry laurel in the landscape depends, among other things, on frequent pruning and fertilization. How should you fertilize your cherry laurel in spring?
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Below is information on how to fertilize a cherry laurel bush: These fertilizers will help you maintain a beautiful plant!
Should I fertilize my cherry laurel?
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Cherry laurel enhances the landscape in several ways. These plants tolerate drought and full sun to partial shade very well. Cherry laurel plants also resist a variety of pests and diseases. However, they cannot tolerate over-fertilization. To prevent the roots of cherry laurel trees from being seriously damaged or even burned, it is important to carefully follow all fertilizer labels and instructions when fertilizing. However, if fertilized once a year, the cherry laurel thrives. Fertilizing your laurel cherry once a year will preserve its green leaves and many white, fragrant flowers. To meet the needs of acid-loving evergreen plants like cherry laurel, evergreen fertilizer should typically release acid into the soil. Fertilizing the plant promotes its growth.
Fertilizing cherry laurel in spring: which fertilizers to use?
Give your shrubs and trees a slow-release fertilizer in the spring, ideally containing iron and/or sulfur for intensive greening to maintain foliage color, promote growth and ensure their overall health. Another option is to use an organic, natural plant fertilizer.
Potted cherry laurel can be fertilized with a granular slow-release fertilizer or a water-soluble, all-purpose plant fertilizer specifically formulated for container plants. Read the application instructions on the label carefully.
When is the best time of year to fertilize cherry laurel?
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Fertilization is often carried out for the first time in spring, shortly before the start of the growing season. This gives the cherry laurel all the nutrients it needs to recover from the harsh winter and grow healthily. The fast-growing shrub may need more than one application of fertilizer, even if slow-release fertilizers such as compost or horn shavings are used. Therefore, you need to provide the plant with a suitable fertilizer again in early summer, around the end of May or beginning of June.
If you want to avoid the cherry laurel’s new wood from freezing in winter, stop applying fertilizer in the second half of summer and fall. This means the plant can survive the winter months without developing new shoots.
Mulch after fertilization
Fertilize only on moist soil. Only fertilize when the soil is well moistened. A smaller amount of fertilizer is preferable. Apply nutrients such as compost, manure and others sparingly. After fertilizing, cover the soil around the cherry laurel with mulch. When using grass clippings as mulch, it is important to take precautions to avoid rot.
Bone meal when planting
Bone meal is an organic, natural fertilizer that should be thoroughly mixed with the soil before planting a new laurel hedge. With just one kilogram of bone meal you can plant a fifteen meter long hedge.
Fertilize laurel cherry in spring with horn shavings
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If the soil is currently moist, work in the fertilizer with a hoe. Horn shavings are an excellent fertilizer for the soil for planting young bay cherries, as it is almost impossible to over-fertilize with them.
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Use blue grain
Nitrate (N), phosphate (P) and potassium (K) are the three elements that make up Blaukorn, a mineral fertilizer. Compared to other fertilizers, blue grain is both cheap and effective. However, the fertilizer does little to improve soil quality because blue grain contains no organic matter.
Fertilize the cherry laurel by incorporating the blue seed into the moist soil and then watering the plant well. To avoid over-fertilizing the soil, you should be careful when dosing blue grain. The soil structure deteriorates when nitrogen enters the groundwater as nitrate.
Fertilize cherry laurel hedges with coffee grounds
You can also fertilize your cherry laurel with coffee grounds. This natural remedy is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and attracts earthworms.
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