Here is some information that I copied and pasted from the Daylily Forum on DG about the use of alfalfa. Somewhere in all my reading online the past few days, someone said that the pellets are better than the meal for daylilies. I do not remember what the reason was. If I run across it again, I'll let you know. I have read so much. I bookmarked several sites so it maybe on one of them. This was daylilies and not other flowers. We have only used the pellets here, and we used it for the first time last May when we first read about it. We just sprinkled the pellets around the plants on top of the mulch. It was not very attractive because it took awhile for the alfalfa to dissolve and go away. We had a very dry summer at our house and I did not water alot. I also used it this past fall when I planted new daylilies. My plans are to do what Judy does. Once I get the old dead foliage of the daylilies cleaned out, I will then put out all the fertilizers including the alfalfa pellets. I won't work it into the soil which would be the best thing to do, because we have such a vast area of daylililes. Then I will put down the new mulch. I plan to start cleaning out around the daylilies this month if the weather will cooperate. Once the temperatures moderate in March here, the daylily foliage really starts growing. It's so much easier to do all this if I can get it done before the foliage starts growing. Maybe someone else will comment on pellets vs. meal. I hope that I have time to make alfalfa tea during the summer and apply it to the roses and daylilies. I think I will put the alfalfa around the roses, too. We get our alfalfa from the Tractor Supply Store on Hwy. 411 between Hwy 41 and I-75. I think it was about $15 for a 50 lb bag. Taylor's Farm Supply and Ladd's Farm Supply probably have it and would be closer for you.
From this website:
http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/org...
ALFALFA MEAL (3N-lP-2K)
Alfalfa meal or pellets is one of the green manure crops and contains small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium which feed the plant. However, the biggest benefit of alfalfa is from the work it does in the soil. Alfalfa contains the hormone, Triacontanol, a plant growth regulator. Alfalfa meal can be top dressed and watered in. But quicker benefits are had when alfalfa is brewed into a tea. The primary boost comes from the millions of microbes in the fermented meal that activate the soil organisms that then convert nutrients into forms available to plants. Roses love it. Only apply alfalfa to the surface. If placed in the root zone, the rapid decomposition of alfalfa will generate heat which can damage the roots.
Another website:
http://www.basic-info-4-organi......
1. Made from alfalfa(If placed in the root zone, the rapid decomposition of alfalfa will generate heat which can damage roots.)
2. Slow acting all purpose fertilizer
3. An alternative to blood meal as a source of nitrogen, balanced with phophorus and potassium.
4. An excellent soil conditioner because of it's protein and carbohydrates that encourage microbial action in soil.
5. Ranges of N 2.0-2.5%, P .5-1.0%, K 1%
6. Has an excellent carbon to nitrogen ratio which helps speeds availability in the soil to plants.
7. Roses react to alfalfa meal especially well, also flowering shrubs
8. Application to plants are: half a cup per plant for new plantings; 1/2 to 1 cup to a depth of 4-6 inches deep around each plant; vegetables and flower beds need 2 to 5 pounds to 100 square feet.
9. Is used as a compost starter
From Daves Garden:
Alfalfa Meal
Alfalfa provides many nutritional benefits not only for plant use, but for soil organisms as well. One very important ingredient is tricontanol, a powerful plant growth regulator.
Orchid and rose growers make an alfalfa tea and spray it directly on as a foliar fertilizer. Alfalfa is very high in vitamins, plus N-P-K-Ca, Mg, and other valuable minerals. It also includes sugars, starches, proteins, fiber and 16 amino acids. Approximate analysis is 3-1-2.
Sprinkle lightly over garden and water, or use about a handful (depending on the size) around each rose, tree, or shrub. Alfalfa meal and hay used for mulch contain vitamin A, folic acid, trace minerals and the growth hormone “tricontanol.” Use at 25 pounds per 1,000 square feet or 400-800 pounds per acre.
Alfalfa helps plants create larger flowers and increases the tolerance to cold. Make alfalfa tea by soaking 1 cup of alfalfa meal per 5 gallon of water.
Good for all flowering plants. Research has shown that using more is not better. At recommended rates alfalfa worked wonders on roses but it could be overused causing adverse effects.
