Controlled release fertilizers (CRF) include a special coating technology that helps releasing small amounts of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, and trace elements) over a longer period, matching the plant’s nutritional needs during its growth cycle.
Over 50 years ago, the first CRF ICL’s Osmocote® changed the industry, marking the start of a whole new principle of fertilizer application. Today, CRFs are used all over the world in ornamental horticulture.
Osmocote’s CRF technology is used in several ICL’s leading brands, the latest being Osmocote 5. For a long time, nursery stock growers have been relying on products from the Osmocote Exact Standard range, featuring different longevities and analyses for specific crop conditions.
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An organic resin coating covers each granule and acts as a sort of membrane that regulates the daily release of nutrients to the plant. |
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Each granule contains NPK, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn. |
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Water penetrates the coating and dissolves the nutrients inside the granule. |
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Nutrient release starts as soon as a part of the nutrients has dissolved. |
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Osmotic pressure releases the dissolved nutrients through the granule coating. |
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When all nutrients have been released, the resin coating breaks down gradually. |
Watch our video to learn more about the Osmocote controlled release fertilizer working principles.
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Highest nutrient use efficiency
CRFs are considered the fertilizer technology with the highest nutrient use efficiency thanks to the consistent controlled release of nutrients over time. In comparison, conventional fertilizers dissolve in the soil immediately after application, only providing nutrition for a short period of time. Multiple fertilizer applications are necessary to ensure that the plant gets the nutrition it needs.
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CRF: a sustainable choice
CRFs are an enhanced fertilizer technology that contributes to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly way of fertilization. The consistent, controlled release of small amounts of nutrients over a longer period:
– lowers fertilizer input and applications
– improves plant health, resilience, and color
– minimizes leaching to the environment
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Matching the plant’s needs
Salinity, soil pH and microbe activity, water quality and rain do not influence the release of nutrients of a CRF. Only temperature affects the nutrient release and therefore also the longevity of the CRF. Granules work in temperatures above freezing, with the membrane regulating the daily release of nutrients. The pre-defined product longevities are applicable at an average daily temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures speed up the nutrient release and thus shorten the longevity. Lower temperatures slow down the release of nutrients, thus extending the longevity. This way, CRFs can match the plant’s need perfectly during its life cycle.
13 Brands found

Osmocote is trusted and used by thousands of growers around the world.
The introduction of Osmocote® – the world’s first controlled release fertilizer – in 1967 revolutionized the fertilizer market. Over the past five decades, Osmocote has grown into one of the world’s leading plant nutrition solutions that is used by growers around the globe. ICL is proud that coated fertilizers are more relevant today than ever. We now offer five generations of Osmocote and have embraced cutting-edge technologies to develop new release patterns and features. All with the aim of meeting your evolving needs as a grower. Now and in the future. Whatever your specific needs, situation or crop, there is an Osmocote solution that is right for you.
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Small granule, big impact
Discover Osmocote 5 – the latest innovation from the Osmocote Green Lab. We’ve tapped into many years of research and development to create this next-generation controlled-release fertilizer. Featuring the OTEA-system and NutriMatch-Release, Osmocote 5 helps you grow greener, stronger, and more resilient plants. So much technology in such a small granule. Want to make a big impact? Choose Osmocote 5.
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The bedding plant specialist.
Osmocote Bloom provides optimum plant quality through maximum nutrition during the entire crop cycle, plus the selling and early consumer stages. Your plants will get all the food they need every step of the way from potting to the first consumer phase. Its 100% coated NPK analysis and traces are ideal for bedding plants with a two-to-three-month crop cycle. It’s especially effective for condensed growth in many annuals including petunias and geraniums.
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Steady-release nutrition for your conifers and evergreens – whenever you plant them
Osmocote® Exact Hi.End is a high-tech programmed-release fertilizer, with pre-defined longevity and release pattern. With its Dual Coating Technology, 40% of granules have a second coating, so the product will only start to release 10-12 weeks after application, during the critical growing phase. This delivers highly effective nutrition and improved plant growth, meaning you can fertilize more effectively. Osmocote® Exact Hi.End is an excellent choice if you are cultivating plants with an increased nutrient demand in the second growing phase. Use for potted conifers and evergreen shrubs, or other container nursery stock that responds well to a low EC value in the first months after potting. Lower EC levels at the start of the cultivation period make it easier for crops to take root.
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The controlled-release fertilizer for growing your compact plants.
Osmocote Exact High K is a 3rd generation controlled release fertilizer and has been designed to support compact plant growth where the irrigation water has high nitrogen levels. It’s the ideal solution for your CNS crops and compact pot plants, perennials, and bedding plants. It also gives you great results with species that need high potassium nutrition, including cyclamen, viola, and primula. You’ll get big results in your compact plants.
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The mini fertilizer granules bringing you maximum benefits.
Osmocote Exact Mini is perfect for use in small-substrate volumes such as plugs and trays. The fine granules (of between 0.85 and 2.0 mm) are smaller than Osmocote Exact Standard. This gives you optimum nutrient distribution and uniform growth, in volumes as low as 20ml. The granules may be small – but each one is packed with every nutrient your plants need. You can use Osmocote Exact Mini to combine the rooting and repotting stages, rather than adding extra fertilizer via sprinklers.
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Your fall and winter potting solution for container nursery stock crops.
Fourth-generation fertilizer Osmocote Exact Protect’s 100% double-coated granules postpone nutrient release during the winter months. That means EC or salt levels in the growing medium stay consistently low for up to the first three months. Longevity is between five and 14 months, while granule size is 2.0-4.5 mm.
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Giving you steady nutrition all growing season.
Our first third-generation fertilizer Osmocote Exact Standard releases nutrition consistently throughout the growing season, in line with your plants’ requirements. This regular, continuous release makes it ideal for almost all growing situations. It’s especially well-suited to evergreens and deciduous shrubs, and when you can only apply one release pattern. You can also use it where plants’ nutrient demands are consistent throughout the growing cycle.
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The ideal solution when fertilizer is difficult to apply.
Osmocote Exact tablets offers convenience and accurate rate of nutrient. Available in 5g and 7.5g, Osmocote Exact Tablets are cone-shaped so you can push them easily into the growing medium. Using an eco-friendly, water-soluble adhesive that will start to dissolved once you watered them in.
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Proven performance from our second-generation coated fertilizer.
Osmocote Pro is a second generation controlled release fertilizer. It means that not only N, P and K are coated but its granules contain all necessary trace elements. Osmocote Pro gives you consistently strong results. It comes in 4 longevities: 3- 4, 5-6, 8-9 and 12-14 months. It’s also distinctive thanks to its steady nutrient release pattern for optimum growth and performance.
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Formulations for unique applications
Osmocote Special Products are NPK and micronutrient mixes designed for specialized applications and varieties. Osmocote Bloom products are especially formulated for use on small container plants such as petunias, mandevillas, and geraniums. And our Blue-Max mix is the go-to product for growers who want only the brightest blue hydrangeas.
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The short-track Osmocote for fast-track performance.
Osmocote Start delivers nutrition to your crops with a short cultivation cycle, or provides refertilization for up to six weeks. It’s designed especially for compact-growing annual plants with a short cropping cycle. These include violets, marigolds and primulas, along with more salt-sensitive vegetable crops, and cuttings that have difficulty rooting.
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The leading coated fertilizer for topdress applications in your container nursery stock.
Osmocote Topdress is a coated fertilizer designed especially for topdress application in container nursery stock. Use it to achieve an immediate greening effect. It contains a high nitrogen, magnesium and iron content, so you get an immediate greening effect. Containing fast- and slow- release nitrogen and phosphorous, it releases the correct amount of nutrients over a period of 5-6 months. You’ll benefit from greener and stronger plants for optimum performance.
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