Chunky Fertilizer for Lilies

[miguynmkoi]

Hey!  Look what I found at the 99cent Store!!  The skinny spikes are readily available but this is the first time I've seen the fat spikes for sale here....and  only for 99 cents! 

So I'm stocked up for spring and my lilies better appreciate it!

[Sean]

Hi Annette,

Does it say what the NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potash (Potassium)) formulation is on the package?

Cheers,
Sean

[miguynmkoi]

Wow, getting technical    Well let's see....This is what is written on the package: Total Nitrogen (N) 8% - 7.3% Ammoniacal N, 0.7% Nitrate N.  Available Phosphate 9%.  Soluable Potash 12%.   

With small Jobe's spikes:  Total N 13% - 2% Nitrate N, 2% Urea N, 2% Other Water Soluable N, &% Water Soluable N. Available Phosphate 4%.  Soluable Potash 5%.

What does this tell you Sean?

I'm hoping the fat spikes will work after early spring primping (osmocote and potting) of the lilies, around beginning of summer, so for the rest of the summer there will be less work    The small spikes worked well but had to use 3 per pot about 3 times during the season, after the first shot of osmocote at the first potting, to keep the lilies leafing and blooming. 

[Desertponder]

I haven't seen those. They look like the tomato spikes. How many spikes are in the package, I can't see the number there.

[Sean]

That would be an NPK rating of 8-9-12.
While not ideal for getting waterlilies to bloom, any fertilizer is better than none.
The best fertilizer for blooms is one that is high in the middle number (Phosphorous).

The spikes you have there will work but are not as good as the rose or tomato spikes for blooms.

Cheers,
Sean

[miguynmkoi]

Thanks Sean, that's good to know. 

You know your stuff.  I'm just seeing now the 8-9-12 on the package.  The smaller spikes I was using are only 13-4-5.  That's even less phosporous!  Now I'll keep my eyes open for the rose or tomato variety.

Shanna, there are 18 fat spikes in this package.  Package says they are recommended for potted plants and hanging baskets such as marigolds, pansies, petunias, geraniums, impatients, vincas, chrysanthemums, begonias and primroses. 

Maybe these spikes will go the my favorite land plant, the chrysanthemums, named Annette, btw. 

Thanks for the education, Sean 

[Desertponder]

That is the same amount they put in the bags of tomato spikes and they usually run me about $2.89 per bag! So 99 cents is a good deal. It couldn't hurt to try them.

The tomato spikes are 8-24-8.

The company that manufacturer's Jobe's fertilizer spikes actually does package spikes for aquatic plants but I have yet to see them in a store. According to their website, they are also 8-24-8. You can get them on Ebay but their expensive.

[miguynmkoi]

Shanna I've seen the aquatic tabs in Home Depot and I can't recall the price but it is expensive compared to the tomato spikes.

[Ky Kim]

I like osmocote when potting up lilies, then tomato spikes the rest of the season.

Kim

[LeeAnne151]

I would not recommend the hanging basket spikes for hanging baskets because they are usually annuals and with annuals you want high phosphorus too, to keep them blooming.

I use the tomato spikes for my waterlilies. They are much cheaper than pond tabs.