Osmocote^® Product FAQs

Yes. In fact, Osmocote^® Flower & Vegetable Plant Food is formulated for just these purposes. Each granule contains essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Nutrition is released into the soil slowly so that plants have a ready supply as they grow.

Osmocote^® granules are coated with a resin made from vegetable oil, which make them safe to handle with bare skin. Of course, it is always wise to wash hands following exposure to any garden product and it is also best to avoid ingesting granules directly or touching eyes after granules are handled.

Osmocote^® is not recommended for cut flowers. It is a slow release product that works with the plants root system. The life of cut flowers can be extended, however, by a combination of the following actions:

1. clean the container daily but do not use soap or detergent,
2. re-cut the stems (they may become clogged),
3. replace the water with fresh,
4. store cut flowers in a cool place during the night,
5. display cut flowers away from heat during the day (that is, avoid windows, TV’s and other electronic devices, radiators, kitchen stove, etc.).

Yes. Osmocote^® can be used on all varieties of potted plants. Apply as directed for best results.

Click to see the application instructions for each formula:

• Outdoor & Indoor
• Flower & Vegetable

It’s best to work product into the top 1-3 inches of soil or mulch, but even when that’s not possible, the melting of late snow and/or early spring rains will work the granules into the soil. As ambient temperatures begin to climb, so, too, will soil temperatures. The release of nutrients from the Osmocote® granules will track the steady rise in soil temperatures thus ensuring that the right amount of nutrition is available when plants are able to use it.

The ideal soil temperature for plants is between 50ºF – 70ºF which coincides with the release of Osmocote® nutrition. When feeding annuals, it’s best to apply in-the-hole as plants are transferred from flats to pots or mother Earth. A second feeding may be appropriate four months later. Fall is also a good to time to feed perennials

Compared to the top selling brand of slow-release plant food, Osmocote® contains almost 2X the amount of slow-release nitrogen per pound of product.

Osmocote® granules are nearly perfect spheres and uniform in size. This ensures that nutrient release works the same way with each granule and contributes to the consistency of the nutrient release.

Osmocote® has a resin coating, a characteristic that’s somewhat elastic. This reduces the risk of the granules cracking and inadvertently releasing nutrients during the packaging process or when the product is in transit to the retail store.

Click here to see the analysis of the Osmocote products!

While the consumer product is available in just two formulas, the professional product is produced in nearly 50 formulas because professionals require a broader range of NPK analyses depending upon the crop they are growing and local growing conditions.

Osmocote® for consumers is available in four sizes, 1-lbs and 2-lb. bottles (O&I and F&V), 4.5-lb. shaker bottle (F&V) and 8-lb. bags (O&I and F&V). Osmocote® for professionals is packaged in 50-lb. sacks.

The temperature of the soil controls the rate at which nutrients are taken up by the plant and the rate at which nutrients are released by the Osmocote® granules. The warmer the soil, the faster nutrients are released. Conversely, when soil temperatures drop, so does the release of nutrients.

When using a water-soluble product with Osmocote®, be sure to follow the recommended rate on its package but then cut that amount by half. Typically, a water-soluble fertilizer has a roughly two-week impact on the plant, but meanwhile, Osmocote® continues goes right on feeding for up to four (4) months!

There is no problem in reconciling the desire to protect the planet and the use of a product that uses nutrients that are already part of the core universe and are measured in their application.