Fertilizer for Italian Cypress?

[Sahil Kedar]

Trying to figure out what fertilizer is best for my row of Italian Cypress. I lost two last year but I think it was from all the rain. 7 in the row are doing fine but they could be better. I replaced the 2 dead ones with 4 footers so now I have a row of 4-8 feet cypress. I'm on the edge of zone 7a-7b.

I've seen lots of different advice - "fertilize as little as possible" to "use the same stuff you'd use for Leland cypress".

So I've narrowed it down to these three options. Would love some advice:

1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...e_2?smid=A3L4J771ECRA97&psc=1#customerReviews

2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4GLFK8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

3. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WU3M94/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A1FPS52GNYUG5P&psc=1

 

[DirtMechanic]

So the leland is an acid lover, 5.5 to 6.5 ph. Chances are you are nuetral to alkaline so test the soil. Rhododendron, azalea or other acid lover fertilizer is probably what you are looking for, so the evergreen spikes might be the best choice. Wettable sulphur works to but it can be a little harsh when its hot or if you use oil sprays for bugs.

 

[Sahil Kedar]

So the leland is an acid lover, 5.5 to 6.5 ph. Chances are you are nuetral to alkaline so test the soil. Rhododendron, azalea or other acid lover fertilizer is probably what you are looking for, so the evergreen spikes might be the best choice. Wettable sulphur works to but it can be a little harsh when its hot or if you use oil sprays for bugs.

Great info, thank you. Can Italian Cypress be over fertilizer? I ordered the spikes, but I saw some Holly Tone for acid loving plants . Would both be too much?

 

[DirtMechanic]

They grow fast, which means they are hungry but you do not want to fertilize in late summer because new growth needs time to harden in order to survive winter in better form. Now is a good time. Now is when all the fallen leaves in the forest rot with warming wet days. Buy some ph tests instead. Overdoing fertilizer promotes disease. If the plant cannot use it, something else will show up to finish it off. Better too little than too much.