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Washington

I can't seem to find an answer anywhere to the application rate of the soluble 0-0-50 potassium sulfate.
Do you guys work it into the soil around the base, or mix it with water? At which rate do you apply it?
Thanks!

8/11/2010 9:54:54 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Depending on your soil test, or tissue test, broadcast between 1 -3 cups of the granular around the rootzone of your plants.
Be careful, it will take some time to break down before you see any benefits, too much could cause issues.
I would highly recommend 0-0-25, liquid potassium, it is a bit more forgiving and it is available to the plants immediately.
www.extremepumpkinstore.com

8/12/2010 12:18:33 AM

Washington

What about the soluble 0-0-50 powder that you carry?
What would be the rate of that?
Thanks

8/12/2010 11:49:13 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

3/4 lb to a gallon of hot water, even so, it still has to break down, a good product, but longer to work.

8/12/2010 2:41:53 PM

Washington

Ok then, I will purchase the 0-0-25 liquid.
The 0-0-25 is chemical, right?
Would it harm the beneficial micro organisms and mycorrhizae?

8/12/2010 4:34:16 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Nope, it is applied as a foliar, but, you can apply as a drench with no negetive effects.

8/12/2010 9:17:23 PM

Washington

Although it has no negative effects, will it affect the plant positively?
I don't believe that the pumpkin will get enough potassium through foliar feeding.
Thank you for advice! It is hard to come by.

8/12/2010 10:47:24 PM

Fresno, CA

thegrower, I've read that some nutrients (don't know if potassium is one of them) are actually absorbed more efficiently through leaves than roots. Basically you get more bang for your buck foliar feeding than drenching.

8/13/2010 1:29:01 AM

Washington

Oh, well that makes sense! I will do an admixture of both foliar and root feeding then. I still want to get tom's input though. I wanna make sure that notable effects could come from root feeding the 0-0-25, and if not, what I should use for potassium on the roots.

8/13/2010 1:38:05 AM

Bristol R.I. USA

I'm naturaly lacking in K so I Add a cup every week to the plants roots then i water. It takes about a week to get to the plant. I like to think that I'm time releasing it. Use caution with potash you dont wanna lock up the soil.

8/15/2010 2:30:07 PM

Seattle, WA

at 0-0-50 or 0-0-25, I don't see how it couldn't have some detrimental effects on soil biology. It is a salt right? I suppose in very low concentrations it would be minimal, but in higher concentrations I believe it would have demonstrable negative effects on the microbes.

8/30/2010 12:47:39 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Tad, with all due respect, there have been a few growers that have tried to grow 100% organic with very low success rates.
I firmly agree with building the microbes in the soil and trying to grow as organic as possible, I promote and encourage using compost/worm casting teas, without great soil, we couldn’t grow fruit as large as we do, unfortunately in a competitive environment, we have very few chances per plant to get that "winner" to the scale.
I don't know of too many, if any giant pumpkin grower that has grown a full season without using some sort of non organic fungicide or insecticide.
A lot of use are consistently adding beneficial microbes back into the soil, whether it be with weekly drenches with tea, or adding mycorrhiza as we bury vines, or with bio fungicides such as Companion and Actinovate, much more than in the normal home garden or farm, adding at the rates that we do wouldn't be cost effective in a farm environment, so I really feel that we are ahead of the curve on microbes for the most part, but please don't think that I am saying that we couldn’t be doing more, but as it is, most agronomist that I have spoken with feel that as a whole most Giant Pumpkin growers are on the forefront of AG technology, always pushing the envelope and raising the bar.
When I mentioned no negative effects, I was referring to no pumpkins splitting due to excessive amounts of Potassium applied; I wasn’t really referring to the soil biology, but you do have a valid point, some microbes may be harmed, but if I am not mistaken, some microbes will also die once temps drop below a certain temp?
Thanks for your input!

8/30/2010 2:41:59 PM

Seattle, WA

Tom,

All very good points you make, and I agree with you. I suppose that I could have been clearer in my response as well. I understand that most growers are now using a combination of organics and synthetics, and taking much better care for the soil microbes than ever before. My post was solely in reference to soil biology, not taking into account the potential benefits to pumpkin health/growth.

As for microbial death at certain temperatures, what I've found is that the microbes will most likely go dormant or if they do die they will become food resources for other microbes in the soil. With high concentrations of synthetics, you'll see much of the microbial life being killed off, thereby reducing the soil's ability to cycle nutrients and protect the plant. (I'm not stating that this product or in the concentrations you've listed it would be an issue by any means. Typically this is seen over time with conventional farming involving chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides.

If you are using synthetic fertilizers, I'd be sure to incorporate compost, mulches, and compost tea during the off-season to re-inoculate and build your soil!

Cheers,
Tad

Organics also takes longer to show plant effects on average, so synthetics would allow for faster response on your part for any deficiencies that your pumpkin is showing.

8/30/2010 6:27:28 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

Really great stuff even for us rookies with A.D.D. I just want to know is that 'lipton tea'???? David

9/4/2010 7:09:29 PM