From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Farrell, PA

My soil test results were WAY high but all generally even with each other so its kind of balancing out I think. My question is with my nutrient level already so high in my soil, should I need to fertilize as often? I'm using Neptunes 2-3-1 with an occasional dose of bat guano and a few other things, but I've only fertilized maybe 10 times and my plants been in the ground since early april. Does anyone test their nutrient water for PH or PPM?? My PH today for the feeding was at 6.7 and my PPM was at 325 with my starting water being 105 PPM for a total added PPM of nutrients at 220. Is there an acceptable range of PPM that people use when growing or do people just go by whats on product containers? ONE MORE ? I'm 14 days into pollenation, what should I be feedign my girl? I have Neptunes 2-4-1 and a host of guanos with different N-P-K's Should I start Calcium feedings as well. Soil result was Phosphate 2093 Potash 1577 Magnesium 2307 and 7666 for calcium. All in the high range but all farily level on the chart. Any thoughts. Plant seems to be doing very well, but I'm a 1st year grower so not too sure. THANKS FOR ANY HELP OR ADVICE!!! GROW EM BIG!!!!!

5/25/2010 10:41:28 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Generally, we ammend the soil in order for the soil to feed the plants, our fertilizing should be a supplement to that. It really depends on your soil and your conditions, but this is why we get soil tests.
If you have sandy soil, it will leech faster, if you get a ton of rain, soil will leech nutrients faster, if you have a new patch with little prep, you will need more than someone who has been amending their patch for 5 yrs.
At various stages of growth the plant uses nutrients differently.

5/26/2010 8:04:49 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Agreed with Tom, other than some light fish/kelp drenching once every 10 days, I don't fertilize at all when the plants are young. Once they are vining and sending out secondaries is when I start with a supplimental foliar feeding program....fertilizng 10 times since planting in April is alot in my view if your soil is jacked and ready to grow!

5/26/2010 12:44:58 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Your soil test looks like mine from last year. Mushroom soil perhaps?? Anyways I think you're doing the right thing. Stick with the Neptunes. Use a reduced application at regular intervals- every 7 or 10 days. You don't want to cause fruit to abort with excess Nitrogen. Or blow them up with too much other nutrients provided on an irregular schedule.

5/26/2010 1:39:22 PM

Muddy Waters

slow & steady wins the race

6/30/2010 9:50:04 PM