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Glosta

I have looked at many labs for soil testing. A good friend recommended Western labs as did one of the worlds best growers. So I checked into what they have to offer. One of the things that caught my eye was their list of nutrient ratios. Ratio is just another word for balance. This lab worked with growers at one time to find a baseline for AG's. S0 are these parameters valid for balance?

I was recently told "you just need enough". Sorry but I find this a poor view. If one thing is out of whack it effects the availability of multiple others. If we balance out soil to help evrything have availability wouldn't the foliar applications be less needed? Wouldn't this help our leaves health wise? So many questions come up.

So are the ratios valid is the main question and if so why are more not trying to find the balance. Sooo much emphasis is put on the main 3 Cations. and the rest of the nutrients are just left to be "OK".

11/29/2011 8:35:49 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Bry,
Obviously, giant pumpkins require and use nutrients differently than a tomato plant. What we have found is that even with well balanced soils, at various times during the season, the plant may still be deficient of certain nutrients, so foliar applications are very important. (Don’t get me wrong, it is still extremely important to balance your soil.)
Your questions is exactly part of what we have been putting together with the data that we have been getting from the tons of soil tests and tissues tests each season, it is very interesting, we have seen a common trend in the fruit that have grown very big and those that have stalled out in the beginning of August.
I strongly feel that with a few minor adjustments, we can start to get more sustained gains.
I will be sharing this info at the winter meetings!

Tom

11/29/2011 10:50:24 AM

Glosta

I agree Tom that the plants require much more than any other plant. My concern is that we are inundating our leaves with too many sprays. So a well balanced soil will make any necessary foliar feedings more effective.

11/30/2011 9:38:33 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

it really depends on what you are spraying, we carry products that have been used in agriculture/horticulture, Landscaping and home gardens for many years, we try to stay away from seriously harsh products, and have been recommending only the best products out there.

11/30/2011 4:18:47 PM

Glosta

I fully trust the products you sell tom and all my foliars come from your store. I will still foliar feed my plants and dont want to stop, I just want to stop the ones that are forced by a soil nutrient issue. Then the applications of foliars supported by a balanced soil will have greater efficacy.
And yes with any nutrient defficiency the fastest and most efficient relief is foliar, since 90 -95% of the foliar nutrient can be found as far as the roots within a very short time after application.
With a deficiency you are just trying to get back to normal growth.
With balance you are adding to increase yields. That's where I want my foliars to be at.

12/1/2011 12:38:09 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Bry, I understand your concerns, I tend to look at it more as: When you are deficient you will see decreases in growth and/or gains, we not only apply foliars to boost growth, but to maintain the balance within the plant (and some foliar applications are applied to run off and supply the soil with additional nutrients as well).
Trust me when I tell you that I've seen soil & Tissue test reports from the same grower that were taken at the same time that show balanced soil and a deficiency of certain nutrients within the plant. To better monitor and tweak the nutrients, additional testing during the season is going to be the key.

12/1/2011 6:09:58 PM