Fertilizer Containment Question

[cushman350]

While making tea with bags, I wondered if the sort of paper used in making teabags could be found and used to wrap the fert for later removal instead of hosiery or tulle (petroleum based)? Would it impede fert distribution?

Thoughts?

[PaulB]

hmmmm, rice paper might just work.

[baileyj]

Would  coffee filter work ?  Similiar to a tea bag....but larger!

[PaulB]

coffee filter paper is probably too thick/dense for nutrients to flow through, unless they are in a liquid state, which is something we try to avoid.  This would present the same problem, perhaps worse, than the high density nylon hose fertilizer tubes do.

[tag]

While making tea with bags, I wondered if the sort of paper used in making teabags could be found and used to wrap the fert for later removal instead of hosiery or tulle (petroleum based)? Would it impede fert distribution?

Thoughts?

The genus that is cushman. 

They only issue I can see is finding paper that can last 6 months or so being buried without degrading.

[baileyj]

Paul...
I see your point.   I am not going to use stockings this season and see if I have better results. 
Judi

[bdank]

Paul...
I see your point.   I am not going to use stockings this season and see if I have better results. 
Judi

Does anyone feel that the stockings hampered their results? I'm using knee highs this year for the first time. So far, I don't see any difference from last year in the growth of my plants, but it's still too early to tell what the over all result will be. I hope I didn't make a mistake using the knee highs.

[gardendoc]

I just get my hands dirty removing the fertilizer strip

[baileyj]

bdank,
I have used stockings for years, even for Organic fertilizer since I did not realize it could be mixed in   
As I have been reading this past winter I am wondering if some of the things I thought were  normal (yellowing leaves, looking droopy with no bugs or leaf issues)  were actually related to the lack of fertilizer.
So I will try without the stockings this year and see if there is any difference late in the season. 
I did not have issues early season when the fertilizer was first placed, it is the late season that may be related. 
Some here were asking about giving a fertilizer boost, down the tube, late season with the snack....I would rather not do that unless necessary.
Perhaps my late season issues are totally unrelated to the stockings....
Judi

[bdank]

bdank,
I have used stockings for years, even for Organic fertilizer since I did not realize it could be mixed in   
As I have been reading this past winter I am wondering if some of the things I thought were  normal (yellowing leaves, looking droopy with no bugs or leaf issues)  were actually related to the lack of fertilizer.
So I will try without the stockings this year and see if there is any difference late in the season. 
I did not have issues early season when the fertilizer was first placed, it is the late season that may be related. 
Some here were asking about giving a fertilizer boost, down the tube, late season with the snack....I would rather not do that unless necessary.
Perhaps my late season issues are totally unrelated to the stockings....
Judi

Judi,
I have always NOT used the stockings; this year will be my first year. Even without the stockings, I still had yellowing leaves etc late in the season. I started using 'the snack' last year and I feel it did keep my plants greener longer.

[baileyj]

bdank,
I used the snack last year, I started it after the fruit set but even with the snack had yellowed leaves and drooping with good wicking etc....late in the season often as the tomatos were ripening....
This year I am going to start the snack sooner and try without the stockings and see if I notice anything different.....maybe nothing, but it can't hurt !
Judi