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Bonemeal or Blood Fish and Bone?
janebal
Posts: 130
I am planting tulips in bowls and have been told to use Bonemeal in the compost.
Could I use Blood Fish and Bone instead as I have some of this.
Also - what is the difference between them?
0
Posts
Agree with Verdun, about Tulips.
However unlike him I do use bonemeal in planting holes, its high phosphate being good for root development.
FBB I use as a general fertiliser in Spring and then again in summer.
I suspect there will be as many different opinions on this as there are posters.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Bonemeal (from waste bone from slaughterhouses) contains calcium and phosphate, the latter being good for root growth, which is why it's recommended to put a handful in when you're planting a tree. BFB also contains potassium (good for flower/fruit development) and nitrate (leaf growth). Blood fish and bone is a good general organic fertiliser (although the fish meal may come from a suspect source I suppose).
I agree with Verdun - as long as the compost/soil you're planting in is in good heart they shouldn't need extra fertiliser at all. Planted in the ground, bulbs - tulips especially - need good drainage, so a handful of gravel under each clump is useful if you have heavy soil.
Thank you all for your excellent answers. I will put gravel under my bulbs, Steve. Also I think I will put BFB on my flower beds in the Spring.