What fertilizer to use for eucalyptus? The latest fertilization guide
Eucalyptus is the collective name for plants of the genus Eucalyptus in the family Myrtaceae, and is one of the three major fast-growing tree species, with a developed root system, strong absorption capacity, and large growth volume. During the growth process, it absorbs nutrients quickly, which can make the soil nutrient-poor, so appropriate fertilization is necessary. Below let us take a look together at what fertilizer to use for eucalyptus!
What fertilizer to use for eucalyptus?
During the growth process, eucalyptus absorbs from the soil on average per plant per year about 36 grams of nitrogen, about 2085 grams of phosphorus, about 20 grams of potassium, about 31 grams of calcium, about 8.5 grams of magnesium, and about 4 grams of sulfur. The proportions of the different nutrients are, in order, nitrogen > potassium > phosphorus, and calcium > magnesium > sulfur. Practice has proven that, in addition to the three major elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, eucalyptus also needs supplemental absorption of various medium and trace mineral elements. Elements such as boron, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese are needed in relatively small amounts. Although the total demand of eucalyptus for trace elements is very small, they play a major role in the fast growth of eucalyptus. If, when planting eucalyptus, these trace elements cannot be supplemented in appropriate amounts, the young and tender parts of the tree, such as the roots, root tips, and stem tips, will be the first to suffer, and in severe cases the growing points will necrose, lignin formation will be hindered, the tree cannot become useful timber, and yield will be reduced.
How to fertilize eucalyptus?
1. Base fertilizer: 7 days before planting eucalyptus, apply 0.25 to 0.5 kg of compound mixed fertilizer or eucalyptus special-purpose fertilizer per hole. Apply the fertilizer into the hole and backfill a layer of surface soil 1 to 2 cm thick.
2. Topdressing: 1 month after planting eucalyptus or after the young tree has grown 1 meter tall, begin topdressing, applying 0.25 kg of compound mixed fertilizer or eucalyptus special-purpose fertilizer per plant to promote early and rapid growth of eucalyptus. In the second year, apply topdressing once in March to April, applying 0.5 kg of compound mixed fertilizer or eucalyptus special-purpose fertilizer per plant. In the third year and fourth year, apply topdressing once each, applying 0.8 kg of compound mixed fertilizer or eucalyptus special-purpose fertilizer per plant, to promote rapid formation of useful timber in eucalyptus. It can be felled in 4 to 5 years, and the wood yield per mu can reach 6 to 8 cubic meters.
How to topdress eucalyptus?
1. Before each topdressing of eucalyptus, be sure to weed, to avoid weeds competing for fertilizer.
2. For topdressing eucalyptus, you can open a crescent-shaped fertilization trench 30 cm from the tree roots in the uphill direction, or open one fertilization hole above the tree roots and on each of the left and right sides, then cover with soil after application to prevent fertilizer loss.
3. It is best to choose to fertilize after rain, as the fertilizer is easily absorbed.
4. On ridge tops, the soil is thin and poor, so more fertilizer should be applied, while by ditch edges and in valleys the soil is thick and fertile, so less fertilizer should be applied. Adapt to local conditions, use reasonable amounts, save costs, and improve benefits.
5. Use soil testing for fertilization. According to the soil testing fertilization recommendation card given by the technical department, carry out fertilization to save costs and increase efficiency.