Many gardeners favor a pecan tree because it seems not very difficult to plant and care for it.
Normally, fertilizer is applied to sustain the tree’s healthy development, but do you know about the 10-10-10 fertilizer for pecan trees?
Suppose the answer is no; this article is a perfect site for you to land on. Apart from introducing this product, I’ll guide you on applying a proper amount and when you should fertilize.
Keep scrolling down for further information!
About The Pecan Tree
The pecan tree is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico and is mainly cultivated for edible seeds. It is a large deciduous tree, which is between 66 and 130 feet tall.
Its trunk is quite long, about 2 meters. Given the leaves, they alternate and pinnate with from 9 to 17 leaflets. A pecan plant could bear fruits like other trees.
Its fruit resembles a drupe whose pit or stone is surrounded by a husk.
Yet, pecan seeds are more applicable.
As mentioned earlier, most farmers grow pecan trees to take their seeds and sell them because they are the main ingredients of many recipes, acting like an additive or being ground to raise the meal’s flavor.
What Is The 10-10-10 Fertilizer For Pecan Trees?
A 10-10-10 fertilizer is a balanced product with a ratio of 10% phosphorus, 10% nitrogen, and 10% potassium by weight. You should fertilize 2.5 pounds for every inch of the pecan’s trunk diameter.
Besides these nutrients, the fertilizer product also provides others, such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc.
This product is highly recommended for a pecan tree, as it is fed with enough substances that are pivotal to its development. A typical pecan requires necessary nutrition to sustain its normal growth.
What Is The Importance Of A 10-10-10 Fertilizer For Pecan Trees?
The importance of a 10-10-10 fertilizer to a pecan tree cannot be denied, and here are comprehensive insights into several benefits that its components bring.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen plays an important role in boosting leaf expansion.
This is a process of compound leaves expanding to intercept light for photosynthesis, take up carbon dioxide and transpire water for circulation.
Without the right percent nitrogen, these whole practices will come to a halt.
Besides, nitrogen is also beneficial for the pecan stem, a core basis for the formation of proteins and other compounds.
Nitrogen deficiency is noticeable, shown by yellowing leaves and stunted growth of branches.
Phosphorous
Phosphorus is a rich nutrition source for the entire root’s spreading. This substance facilitates the energy transfer within a pecan plantation, promoting a healthy and stable system of roots.
With a lack of percent phosphorus, roots cannot spread strongly to the deeper part of the soil, so your pecan tree may lack water as well as minerals to survive.
Potassium
Potassium maintains the proper flow of nutrients transferred in a mature tree. Moreover, it is imperative to the plant’s starches and sugars and helps regulate its inner water balance.
A potassium shortage poses a serious threat to the pecan’s terminal growth. Several problems are rendered, including lower fruit quality, leaf yellowing, and diminished pecan crop yield productivity.
How To Fertilize Pecan Trees?
Below are comprehensive guidelines on fertilizing a pecan tree that you should pay careful attention to.
- Step 1: Prepare the necessary tools involved in the process, such as a shovel. Don’t forget protective garments, like safety glasses and gloves, to secure your health because liquid fertilizer’s components are quite harmful to humans.
- Step 2: You need to perform a test of soil samples. This will help you know about the pH level and whether they ensure proper soil fertility, so a balanced pecan fertilizer product could help.
- Step 3: Opt for an appropriate product that provides essential nutrients for the plant’s growth, such as the 12-6-6 fertilizer or 10-10-10 product. Remember not to buy fake products, as they are notorious for degraded quality.
- Step 4: Determine the right amount of fertilizer that your mature pecan tree requires. Before reaching a conclusion, you must consider various factors, like the soil conditions, the size and age of a seedling
- Step 5: You’ll proceed with the applications of fertilizer. You should start to apply it from the trunk at a distance of between 12 and 18 inches. Measure the trunk diameter, starting from scaffold branches downward. Then, apply about 2.5 pounds of complete fertilizer for every inch you’ve measured, as mentioned.
- Step 6: Water the area you have just feeded with fertilizer. This practice helps reduce toxicity and facilitates the penetration of nutrients into the soil. Don’t overwater it because the ground could be saturated.
- Step 7: Repeat this process after a while. Depending on your plant’s conditions, the duration between two fertilizing times must be sensible. It is advisable to fertilize only once or twice per year.
When Do You Fertilize Pecan Trees?
When to fertilize pecan trees? The optimal period for fertilizing pecan trees is in the early spring.
You should fertilize your plant before its buds start to break, denoting pecans’ blooming time. Late February or early March is perfect, depending on the location and climate.
The reason is that spring is a tree’s most active growth period.
During this time, it has just emerged from dormancy, so it requires much energy, along with nutrients, and pecan fertilizer is an ideal supplier to fulfill its need.
Fertilizing too early or too late is not good. When you fertilize the tree too early, the soil’s nutrition uptake is not good enough because it has already warmed up.
This could result in the threat of nitrogen leaching, wreaking havoc on the surrounding environment.
On the other hand, fertilizing too late makes the plant unable to absorb the nutrients fully. Another problem lies in an excess level of toxicity.
Fertilizers’ components are overwhelming, so it isn’t easy to wash away completely.
What Are The 5 Best Fertilizers For Pecan Trees?
Following are 5 popular fertilizers that are well-known for their quality and applications. Let’s check them out!
Down To Earth Organic Citrus Fertilizer Mix
This product is a 6-3-3 NPK fertilizer and is functional at supporting the development of entire tree roots and nut production, which is all for a productive yield when the harvesting season comes.
Jobes’ Organics Fruit & Nut Fertilizer Spike
The Jobes fertilizer contains Biozome substances famous for their safe and eco-friendly feeding. You’d better feed it to your pecan only twice a year.
And to ensure the best quality, you should store it in a dry, cool place and ensure adequate moisture at all costs.
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose Plant Nutrition
With an endorsement from the OMRI, Miracle-Gro’s formula provides a sufficient liquid feed, which reduces the problem of nutrient deficiencies in the soil surface and eradicates fungal diseases.
Its price is also reasonable, suited to the middle-class household’s budget. Remember not to drink this Miracle-Gro product due to chemical poisoning.
Jobe’s Organics 9227 Fruit & Nut Granular Fertilizer
Another product from Jobe will not disappoint you. It can produce fast results thanks to the reduced nitrogen and is suitable for nearly all individual trees.
Another plus is that the fertilizer is packed with resealable bags for simple storage and pouring.
Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Plant Food Spikes
The final name on this list comes from the Miracle-Gro brand. Unlike the Miracle-Gro Performance Organics All Purpose product, this slow-release fertilizer should not be used for young seedlings.
Its use is not restricted to only fruit trees but also evergreens, palms and nut trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Fertilizer Should I Use?
According to the research conducted by scientists at the North Carolina State University Extension, a quality 10-10-10 fertilizer should be applied at a rate of 1 lbs for a pecan seedling each time.
4 lbs of fertilizer is an appropriate amount for a mature plant.
How Often To Fertilize A Pecan Tree?
Numerous factors affect the frequency of fertilizing an entire tree: the plant’s age and size, the nutrient levels in soil, or the product brand.
Commonly, you need to fertilize a young plantation every 4 to 6 weeks during the vigorous growth season and reduce the frequency if the blooming time has passed.
For mature trees, fertilize them once or twice per year in the early spring and/ or early fall.
Suppose the soil’s conditions are not too good; you can heighten the frequency up to three or four times based on your need. But it is suggested to consult the agricultural expert’s advice beforehand.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Zinc Deficiency In A Pecan Tree?
Pecan trees suffering from Zinc deficiency may display certain symptoms, such as discolored leaves, curling foliage, and long bare branches.
Besides, the nut kernels become poorly filled or hollow. The applications of zinc via foliar spray will address the above issues, ensuring a better crop of nuts.
The Bottom Line
This article has formed a comprehensive understanding of the 10-10-10 fertilizer for pecan trees.
This is an all-rounded solution for lush growth and fruitful yield, so it’s best to start feeding your plant from a young age.
Please follow my instructions on the method of fertilization and the proper fertilizing time, and you could have the best preparation before the current season comes.
