Show # 98 - Granular Fertilizers vs. Liquids: Fungicide Strength & Summer Pest Control Tips

Why Liquid Weed Killers Work but Liquid Fertilizers Fail

• Liquids for weeds = Best choice
  • With Wilt-Pruf, liquids laminate weeds for 100% kill performance.
• Liquids for fertilizers = Weak choice
  • Miracle-Gro is diluted 256x weaker than granular.
  • No slow-release nitrogen, no trace elements, no sulphate of potash.
  • Provides zero lasting power.
• Granular fertilizers = Always better
  • Delivers the full nutrient weight.
  • Includes slow-release nitrogen, sulphate of potash, and trace elements.
  • Long-lasting feeding and stronger plant growth.

Fungicides – Homeowner vs. Commercial Strength

• Bio-Advanced Fungus Control (Homeowner)
  • 10 lbs. bag, $28.88.
  • Only 0.051% active ingredient = 0.51 lbs active.
    
• Prophesy Fungicide (Commercial Grade)
  • 25 lbs. bag, $67.77.
  • 0.72% active ingredient = 1.8 lbs active.
  • 353% more active strength, longer-lasting, and curative repair power.

Even though Prophesy costs more upfront, it delivers far more value per pound of active ingredient.

Summer Lawn Watering & Fertilizing Guidelines

• Full Sun Lawns (4–6 hrs from 11–5)
  • Apply Preferential Treatment + Prophesy Fungicide.
  • Ensure 1” of water per week minimum – measure carefully.
• Young Lawns & New Plantings
  • Need 2x more water than established plants.
  • Hibiscus & newly planted Crepe Myrtle: almost daily watering.
• Peak Daylight = Peak Demand
  • All plants (including houseplants) need maximum fertilizer and water now.
  • Always use granular fertilizers: Garden Trust, Agriform tablets, Plant Trust.

Why Granular Fertilizers Outperform Liquids

• Granular is 256x stronger than liquids used in injectors (e.g., Dosatron).
• Produces maximum flower output – seen at Betty’s Azalea Ranch.
• Contains:
  • Slow-release nitrogen
  • Trace elements
  • Nutrient diversity for stronger plants

Fertilizer Buying Guide

Look for:

• A high first number (nitrogen = the “money number”).
• Slow-release percentage clearly listed.
• Multiple trace elements.

Avoid:

• Liquids (except for very small plants).
• Old formulas like 10-10-10, 10-6-4, or 5-10-5.

Lesson: High-quality fertilizers cost less long term, power maximum blooms, and can grow a 10-year tree in just 3 years.

Summer Pest Control Essentials

Mosquitoes & Gnats

• Summit Mosquito & Gnat Ready-to-Spray → quick fix.
• Summit Green Armor → long-lasting clothing/gear protection (7 washings).
• Add Summit products to saucers/pots to stop breeding grounds.

Yellow Jackets

• Regular sprays fail → they’re wasps, not bees.
• Use Martin’s Viper (cypermethrin).
• Mix 1–2 oz per gallon water, drench nest entrance at night only.

Japanese Beetles, Lantern Fly, Lace Bugs

• Spray mix: 3 oz Bug Buster II + 4 oz Wilt-Pruf per gallon water.
• Covers for 4 weeks.
• Do not spray on blue-foliage plants (Blue Spruce, Blue Hosta).
  

Rose Care (including Knock Outs)

• Spray with: Bonide Rose Shield (3 oz) + Wilt-Pruf (5 oz) per gallon water.
• Protection lasts 5 weeks.
• Still requires:
  • Hand-removal of beetles off flowers
  • Weekly deadheading
• Without care → risk of Rose Rosette disease (no cure).

Wilt-Pruf – The Garden Game Changer

• Enhances every spray (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, deer repellent).
• Benefits:
  • Laminates product on plants.
  • Dries immediately → protects 95% of good insects.
  • Reduces water loss by 30%.
  • Extends spray effectiveness 4+ weeks.
• Especially valuable for beekeepers → safe targeting + pollinator protection.
• Kills the mites that spread Rose Rosette

Key Takeaways

• Granular fertilizers = essential for healthy, long-lasting growth.
• Commercial fungicides (like Prophesy) deliver stronger, longer-lasting protection.
• Stay consistent with watering, pest control, and rose care in summer.
• Wilt-Pruf is the secret weapon → boosting effectiveness, protecting pollinators, and saving water.