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Date Posted

Cholame, Ca

How many tablespoons of Potassium Nitrate to a gallon of water for a foliar spray and drench? thanks any information would be appreciated. not sure if I'm going to use it for sure or not after reading some of the messages .

8/9/2005 12:07:35 AM

Follansbee, Wv

I am only a first year grower of AG's, but my other gardening experience tells me it's a little late in the season to be using a "kick start" style of nitrogen. I don't think I would ever use Potassium Nitrate as a foliar, the risk of burn is just too great. Others with more experience should chime in here.

8/9/2005 7:58:12 AM

Western NY

i've heard of a theory a while back about nitrogen after the fruit has developed possibly helping for some reason, but i don't think anyone really tried it out. i'm not going to experiment with it, but i wish you luck. let us know how it turns out.

8/9/2005 8:15:13 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

At the risk of causing you a problem by recommending applications without analytical guidance....I've heard blind & experienced rates of around 1 Tablespoon per plant per day in a volume of water that would be consistant with a daily irrigation event.

But if you're not sure....don't.

8/9/2005 2:53:51 PM

Cholame, Ca

Thanks for the input , I was only going to try it on one plant that is lagging, this is my first year and im experimenting.

8/9/2005 11:26:02 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Experimenting on one plant is fun. I'd use a small area sprinkler or soaker hose (if it already installed) so your other plants can still serve as a check.

Install a simple Miracle-Grow feeder in the sprinkler's supply line. Drop a Tablespoon of 13.75-0-46 Potassium Nitrate into the feeder everyday & wtaer away. Observe the results by taping & recording thye results every couple days on a clipboard.

There are a few "Hitters" who use this approach.

Please keep us posted.

Steve

8/10/2005 4:54:27 AM

Montoursville, PA

Ask yourself, what is it that supports the biology strengths in your patch. What is it that the lowly earthworm needs to survive? Are not the casts of this lowly critter the finest fertilizer known, to mankind? Therefore go further and satisfy yourself, to the basic question. Is what I am doing going, to help or hurt that lowly critter.
It does not take scientific study to find the answers!

These are just basic questions, to which all must live by, even if any one individual thinks that they are stupid questions. There are no trade offs. Either what you are doing helps or hurts the very strength of the soil you hope will grow a big healthy plant. Sustainable soil conditions can not be maintained long term if what we do defeats the basic truths.

8/10/2005 9:33:50 AM

Cholame, Ca

Thanks again for all the input I really appreciate all the comments . I don't want to be completely stupid , but the last comment from docgipe, are you saying if I put the potasium nitrate on the plant it will kill the worms? just wondering , because honestly I don't know . thanks

8/16/2005 1:24:46 PM

Montoursville, PA

I would prefer tea of either variety. Tea made from just soaked manure will contain nitrogen and go on more safely if diluted to look like tea you would drink. The same tea brought up to aerobic by oxygen bubbles rolling through it will go into aerobic tea. Aerobic tea is full of living bacteria and active fungi plus the living critters higher on the food chain. This tea boosts the biological content of your existing soil to better create what you need by natural biological action. Both may be done foliar or by drench. Neither will harm your healthy plants or soil. Both will get the nitrogen you need up and available reasonably fast but there will be no jolt that can be associated with other treatments.

8/16/2005 2:09:29 PM