Earth Juice Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom – 20 lb

Earth Juice® Rainbow Mix PRO™ Bloom is a powder/granular organic bloom fertilizer with an NPK of 2-14-2, derived entirely from natural ingredients including fossilized seabird guano, steamed bone meal, bat guano, feather meal, and sea kelp meal. It contains 29 strains of mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes, plus humic acid, making it a comprehensive soil amendment and bloom nutrient in one 20 lb bag suited for containers, garden beds, and raised beds.

Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom Specifications

The specifications below are drawn from the guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, and application data confirmed across multiple retailer listings and the Earth Juice brand background. Manufacturer SKU HOJ50376 identifies the 20 lb size.

Specification	Value
Brand	Earth Juice (Hydro-Organics Wholesale Inc., acquired by Central Garden & Pet in 2015)
Product line	Rainbow Mix PRO™ — High Performance Gardening series
Manufacturer SKU	HOJ50376 (20 lb); HOJ50375 (5 lb); HOJ50378 (40 lb)
UPC	727644501280
NPK ratio	2-14-2
Total Nitrogen (N)	2.00%
Available Phosphate (P₂O₅)	14.00%
Soluble Potash (K₂O)	2.00%
Product form	Powder/granular fertilizer
Bag size	20 lb
Shipping weight	25.0004 lb
Derived from (plant food)	Fossilized seabird guano, steamed bone meal, bat guano, feather meal, potassium sulfate (langbeinite), cottonseed meal, greensand, sea kelp meal
Mycorrhizal fungi strains	15 strains (ecto- and endomycorrhizal)
Beneficial microbe strains	13 strains (Bacillus, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, Lactobacillus species)
Total biology strains	29 strains of mycorrhizae & beneficial microbes
Non-plant food ingredients	Mycorrhizal fungi (15 strains), beneficial microbes (13 strains), humic acid (derived from langbeinite)
Application rate (containers)	1–4 heaping tablespoons per gallon of soil
Application rate (gardens)	1–2 cups per 25 sq ft every 12 weeks
Application rate (roses & flowering shrubs)	1 cup per plant every 2–3 months
Application rate (bulbs)	1 tbsp per hole, or 1–2 lbs per 20 sq ft
Application rate (alternative)	¼ to 1 cup per cubic foot of soil
Application methods	Pre-mix, top dressing, side broadcast, soil booster, brewing plant tea
Available sizes	2 lb, 5 lb, 20 lb, 40 lb, 2,000 lb tote (commercial)
Shelf life	Products with live biology carry expiration dating; check bag for date

Why Choose Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom

The points below describe what distinguishes Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom from other granular organic bloom fertilizers, grounded in the product’s ingredient list, guaranteed analysis, and brand documentation.

• High phosphorus content (14%) from diverse natural sources. The 2-14-2 NPK profile delivers 14% available phosphate, a level that is relatively high among organic granular bloom fertilizers. The phosphorus comes from fossilized seabird guano, steamed bone meal, and bat guano — natural slow-release sources rather than soluble synthetic phosphorus salts. The natural forms release phosphorus gradually as soil biology processes them, reducing the risk of phosphorus lock-out in alkaline soil conditions. For flowering and fruiting plants, phosphorus supports root development, flower initiation, and energy transfer during bud formation.
• 29 strains of mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes included in the bag. Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom is not just a fertilizer — it also contains 15 strains of mycorrhizal fungi (including both ecto- and endomycorrhizal types such as Glomus, Rhizopogon, and Pisolithus species) and 13 strains of beneficial microbes (including nitrogen-fixing genera such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, and Rhizobium). Purchasing this product delivers both a bloom nutrient and a soil inoculant in one application, which is not standard for most granular organic fertilizers in this category. Products like Advanced Nutrients Tarantula provide microbial inoculants as a separate liquid additive; Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom integrates both functions into a single dry formulation.
• Formulated from 100% natural organic ingredients with no synthetic salt-building chemicals. Earth Juice describes the Rainbow Mix PRO line as containing no salt-building chemicals and no hidden NPK-boosting synthetics. Repeated application of synthetic salt fertilizers can raise soil electrical conductivity over time and disrupt beneficial soil biology. An all-natural formulation built from guano, bone meal, feather meal, cottonseed meal, greensand, and sea kelp meal feeds the soil food web rather than bypassing it.
• Multiple application methods make it versatile across garden formats. The granular form can be used as a pre-mix (blended into soil before planting), a top dressing applied around established plants, a side broadcast fertilizer in garden rows, a soil booster worked into existing beds, or as the base for brewing a plant tea. This flexibility means one product can serve container growers, in-ground gardeners, and raised bed growers across the same growing season without reformulating their approach for each setup.
• 20 lb bag size is practical for mid-scale garden or commercial hobby use. At 20 lb, this bag is large enough to cover multiple applications across a medium-sized garden or a meaningful number of container plants through the flowering season, without the commitment of the 40 lb bag or 2,000 lb tote. The application rate of 1–4 tablespoons per gallon of soil means a 20 lb bag covers a significant number of containers over the course of a growing season.

Best Uses for Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom

The use cases below are derived from the product’s form factor, application rate data, ingredient profile, and the plant categories listed in the research documentation.

• All flowering and fruiting plants in containers. This is the primary use case stated on the product label. Mix 1–4 heaping tablespoons per gallon of soil when preparing container potting mix, or work into the top layer of existing container soil at the start of the flowering period. The NPK of 2-14-2 targets the phosphorus-forward requirements of flowering stages without delivering excessive nitrogen that would push vegetative growth at the expense of bud formation.
• Garden beds growing roses, flowering shrubs, and ornamental bloomers. The label specifically rates Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom for roses and flowering shrubs at 1 cup per plant every 2–3 months. This low-maintenance application cadence is practical for established perennial plantings where monthly liquid feeding is inconvenient. Granular slow-release nutrition from guano and bone meal sustains flowering through multiple bloom cycles without requiring re-application each week.
• Bulb plantings and spring-flowering preparation. Working 1 tablespoon per hole (or 1–2 lbs per 20 sq ft) at planting time inoculates bulbs with mycorrhizal fungi at the moment of root establishment, when the fungal network can colonize root tissue most effectively. Bulb crops in the early growth stage are particularly responsive to mycorrhizal inoculation because their root system is developing from a dormant state.
• In-ground vegetable gardens and food crop beds during the fruiting stage. Fruiting vegetables — tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers — have elevated phosphorus requirements during bud set and fruit development. Applying 1–2 cups per 25 sq ft every 12 weeks through the fruiting season provides a sustained phosphorus supply from organic sources. The humic acid in the formulation supports nutrient uptake and soil structure in cultivated vegetable beds.
• Soil preparation for planting season alongside other organic amendments. Because Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom is a dry granular amendment, it can be pre-mixed into soil blends before the season begins. Gardeners building custom potting or raised bed mixes can incorporate it at the ¼ to 1 cup per cubic foot rate. This pre-season soil loading strategy means the nutrient profile and inoculant strains are already present when transplants go in. Pairing with a carbon energy source like Earth Juice Hi-Brix Molasses at first watering can activate the beneficial microbes introduced by Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom.
• Brewing compost or fertilizer plant teas. The product can be used as a base ingredient for brewing plant teas — a technique where the granular fertilizer is steeped in aerated water for 24–48 hours to create a liquid feed. This method is common among organic gardeners who want to apply the nutrition and biology in a liquid root drench or foliar form rather than as a surface-applied granular. The guano-based ingredients and beneficial microbes are well suited to this approach.

Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom vs Dr. Earth Flower Girl Bud & Bloom Booster

The two most directly comparable products in the organic granular bloom fertilizer category are Earth Juice Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom (2-14-2) and Dr. Earth Flower Girl Bud & Bloom Booster (3-9-4). Both are granular, both include mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial soil microbes, and both target the flowering and fruiting stages of plant development. The differences lie in NPK profile, ingredient sources, biology platform, and available sizes.

Earth Juice Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom (this product): NPK 2-14-2, with 14% available phosphate as the dominant nutrient. Derived from fossilized seabird guano, steamed bone meal, bat guano, feather meal, potassium sulfate (langbeinite), cottonseed meal, greensand, and sea kelp meal. Contains 15 strains of mycorrhizal fungi (ecto and endo) and 13 strains of beneficial microbes including nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Rhizobium). Humic acid included as a non-plant food ingredient. Available in sizes from 2 lb to 2,000 lb tote, making it scalable from hobby to commercial use. No confirmed OMRI listing based on available research.

Dr. Earth Flower Girl Bud & Bloom Booster (comparator): NPK 3-9-4, with a higher nitrogen ratio relative to phosphorus compared to Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom, and higher potassium relative to phosphorus. Dr. Earth’s TruBiotic platform includes beneficial soil microbes and mycorrhizae, but the specific strain count and species list differs from the 29-strain blend in Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom. Dr. Earth products in this line are generally marketed as OMRI Listed, which provides third-party organic certification that has not been confirmed for Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom based on current research data. Dr. Earth Flower Girl is widely available at garden retail including big-box stores, whereas Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom is more commonly found through specialty hydroponic and organic garden supply channels.

Key trade-offs:

• Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom delivers significantly higher phosphorus (14% vs 9%) for gardeners whose priority is maximum phosphorus loading during bloom — this is the defining NPK difference between the two products.
• Dr. Earth Flower Girl has a higher nitrogen (3%) and potassium (4%) ratio relative to phosphorus, which may be preferable for growers who want a more balanced NPK even during flowering, or who are growing plants with strong potassium requirements.
• Both products include mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes, so the soil biology angle is present in both; Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom specifies 29 strains explicitly on the label, which is a higher declared strain count than most competing products.
• Dr. Earth Flower Girl carries OMRI certification based on published product data; Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom’s organic certification status was not confirmed from available sources at the time of research.
• Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom’s inclusion of nitrogen-fixing microbe genera (Azotobacter, Azospirillum) adds a biological nitrogen fixation dimension that is not commonly highlighted in competitors’ biology claims.
• Down To Earth Rose & Flower Mix (4-8-4) is a third option in this category. It is OMRI Listed and includes higher nitrogen and potassium than Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom, but does not include mycorrhizal inoculants in the formulation — making Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom and Dr. Earth Flower Girl the stronger choices for growers who want biology alongside nutrition.

For growers whose primary metric is phosphorus content in a granular organic form with a broad spectrum of mycorrhizal and microbial inoculants, Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom’s 2-14-2 profile makes it the higher-phosphorus option. For growers who need OMRI certification or want a more balanced NPK during flowering, Dr. Earth Flower Girl or Down To Earth Rose & Flower Mix may be better fits.

Compatibility & Operating Range

The compatibility information below is drawn from the application method list, ingredient profile, and form factor documented in the research sources. Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom is a dry granular amendment; it is not a liquid concentrate and is not used directly in hydroponic reservoir systems.

Soil types: Compatible with all standard soil types — loam, sandy loam, clay-amended soil, and native garden soil. The greensand and humic acid components are particularly beneficial in sandy soils where nutrient retention is low. The mycorrhizal strains included span both ecto- and endomycorrhizal types, broadening the range of plant species that can benefit from the inoculant across different soil environments.

Growing media: Well suited to organic potting soil, peat-based container mixes, and coco coir blends when coco is used as part of a soil-amended system (not as a standalone hydroponic substrate). Pre-mixing at the recommended rate before filling containers ensures even distribution of both the fertilizer and the biological inoculants. Top dressing and side broadcast are appropriate for in-ground beds and raised beds with existing soil.

Organic program compatibility: All ingredients are derived from natural sources (guano, bone meal, plant meals, mineral salts, sea kelp). The formulation is positioned as containing no synthetic salt-building chemicals or hidden NPK-boosting synthetics, making it compatible with organic growing programs in practice. Growers maintaining OMRI-certified organic status should verify the product’s current certification status independently before use, as OMRI listing for this specific product was not confirmed from available research.

Companion amendments: Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom can be layered with organic mulches, compost, and vermicompost without concern for ingredient conflicts. It can also be combined with separate mycorrhizal root drenches or nitrogen-focused amendments like Down To Earth Crab Meal when soil nitrogen levels need to be supplemented alongside the bloom nutrition. Because the product already includes nitrogen-fixing microbe strains, additional nitrogen inputs should be evaluated against the existing soil fertility level before application.

Plant categories: Labeled for all flowering and fruiting plants. Specific guidance is given for container plants, garden beds, roses and flowering shrubs, and bulb plantings. No incompatibilities with common flowering plant categories are documented.

Tea brewing compatibility: The granular form is suitable for brewing plant teas in aerated compost tea brewers. When using as a tea ingredient, the humic acid and microbial components are released into the liquid, creating a biological inoculant tea that can be applied as a root drench or diluted foliar feed. Brew times of 24–48 hours in aerated water are standard for guano-based granular ingredients.

Shelf life note: Products containing live mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes carry expiration dating. The biological activity of the inoculant strains declines over time after the manufacture date. Check the expiration date on the bag before use, and store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight and moisture to maximize shelf life.

Dosing & Usage Guidelines

The dosing information below is drawn from the application rate data confirmed across multiple retailer sources. Rates vary by plant type and garden format; use the guidelines below as starting points and adjust based on observed plant response and existing soil fertility.

Container plants: Add 1–4 heaping tablespoons per gallon of soil. Mix thoroughly into the potting medium before planting, or work into the top 2–3 inches of existing container soil around the plant’s drip line. The 1 tbsp/gal rate is appropriate for seedlings and sensitive ornamentals; the 4 tbsp/gal rate is suited to established flowering plants with higher nutrient demands. Start at the lower end when applying to small or recently transplanted plants.

Garden beds and in-ground planting: Apply 1–2 cups per 25 square feet. Reapply every 12 weeks throughout the growing season. Broadcast evenly over the soil surface and work in to a depth of 2–4 inches with a garden fork or tiller. Watering in after application activates the soluble fraction and begins biological inoculation of the root zone.

Roses and flowering shrubs: Apply 1 cup per plant every 2–3 months. Broadcast the granules in a ring around the plant’s drip line, avoiding direct contact with the main stem. Work lightly into the soil surface and water in thoroughly. This cadence aligns with the typical fertilization schedule for established rose and shrub plantings.

Bulb planting: Mix 1 tablespoon per planting hole at the time of bulb installation, or work 1–2 lbs per 20 square feet into the soil across the entire planting area before installing bulbs. The direct contact between the granular inoculant and the bulb’s emerging root tissue maximizes the probability of successful mycorrhizal colonization early in the growth cycle.

Alternative rate for soil blending: When building a custom soil mix or raised bed blend, use ¼ to 1 cup per cubic foot of soil. This rate is practical for volume-based mixing rather than per-plant or per-area calculations. At 1 cup per cubic foot, a 20 lb bag of Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom covers approximately 20–25 cubic feet of soil blend depending on the cup-to-pound ratio of the granular product.

Plant tea preparation: Measure the desired quantity of granular fertilizer (a common starting ratio is 1–2 tablespoons per gallon of water) into a mesh bag or strainer bag. Suspend the bag in a bucket of dechlorinated water and aerate for 24–48 hours with an aquarium pump and air stone. Apply the brewed tea as a root drench at normal watering volume. Do not apply undiluted tea concentrate directly to foliage without further dilution.

Frequency: For granular surface applications, reapplication every 8–12 weeks is consistent with the labeled garden rate. Avoid over-application; at 14% phosphate, repeated heavy doses in the same soil area can lead to phosphorus accumulation over multiple seasons. Conduct a soil test before increasing application rates beyond the label recommendations.

How to Set Up Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom in Your Garden

The steps below describe integrating Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom into a container or garden planting from soil preparation through the first application. These steps are adapted from the application methods and rate data confirmed in the product research.

1. Check the expiration date on the bag before opening. Because Rainbow Mix Pro Bloom contains live mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial microbes, the biological component has an expiration date. Inspect the bag for this date before opening. If the product is past its expiration date, the fertilizer nutrient content is still present, but the biological inoculant activity may have declined significantly. Plan purchases to align with the application season rather than storing for multiple years after opening.
2. Identify your application scenario: container, garden bed, rose/shrub, or bulb planting. The application rate differs by plant type and garden format. Container plants use a tablespoon-per-gallon-of-soil rate; garden beds use a cup-per-square-foot rate; roses and shrubs use a per-plant cup rate; bulbs use a per-hole tablespoon rate. Select the appropriate rate before measuring product.
3. Measure the granular fertilizer using a kitchen measuring spoon or cup. For small container applications (1–4 tbsp per gallon), a standard tablespoon measuring spoon is accurate enough. For garden bed applications at 1–2 cups per 25 sq ft, use a dry measuring cup. The granular texture is consistent, so volumetric measurement is reliable for this product.
4. Pre-mix into soil for container plantings. For new container plantings, blend the measured granules thoroughly into the potting mix in a separate container or on a tarp before filling the pot. Even distribution of the granules — and particularly the mycorrhizal inoculant — ensures that plant roots encounter both the fertilizer and the biology as they develop through the growing medium. Uneven distribution can leave pockets of high nutrient concentration adjacent to root tissue.
5. Apply as top dressing or side broadcast for established plants. For plants already growing in containers or in-ground beds, broadcast the granules evenly over the soil surface within the plant’s drip line. Work lightly into the top 1–2 inches of soil with a hand cultivator or garden fork; deeper incorporation is not required. Avoid piling granules against the main stem or trunk.
6. Water thoroughly after application. Irrigation activates the soluble fraction of the fertilizer and begins the biological inoculation process. Water until the soil is thoroughly moist — not just the surface layer. For container plants, water until drainage flows from the pot’s drainage holes. Dry application without watering in does not activate the biological components and delays nutrient release.
7. Reapply on the labeled schedule for the season. Garden applications are rated for reapplication every 12 weeks. Rose and shrub applications are every 2–3 months. Mark the application date and set a reminder for the next scheduled application. Consistent reapplication through the growing season maintains nutrient availability and supports continued biological activity in the root zone.
8. Store unused product in a sealed container in a cool, dry location. After opening the bag, reseal tightly or transfer to a sealed container. Moisture can activate the fertilizer and degrade the biological components. Store away from direct sunlight and temperature extremes. Do not store in a location where temperatures routinely exceed 85°F or drop below freezing, as both extremes can reduce mycorrhizal spore viability.

Sources & Further Reading