Excellent answers Re: CULT: fertilizer chemicals

thanks so much, Bill.

This is precisely what I was "digging for".

(thank goodness it was intelligent, since it was 
the only response I received to two similar postings...)


Now, for my next question - I'll post a new message.

--- In iris-talk@y..., oneofcultivars@a... wrote:


(excerpt)
> 
> It is of little consequence whether one chooses to use a 20% or a 
40% 
> concentration product. The key to successful use is to apply the 
proper 
> amount for the concentration you are using. Necessarily, you must 
start with 
> a soil test if you wish to apply the proper amount. Application of 
excess 
> amounts contribute to run off. Poor incorporation into the soil 
contribute to 
> run off. Removal of weeds, grass and under story plants contribute 
to run 
> off.
> 
> Generally speaking, properly incorporated into the soil in 
appropriate 
> amounts P2O5 remains in the soil until it is used by the plant as 
does K2O 
> (potassium component in fertilizer). Excess on the other hand can 
to a degree 
> be leeched to the soil surface as salts and contribute to chemical 
> contamination (run off). Excesses at extreme levels can also poison 
your 
> plants. Again soil tests are highly desirable and should be 
considered a 
> routine component of responsible use.
> 
> The vast majority (all for practical purposes) of the elements 
represented in 
> the periodic table are naturally occurring as are many of the 
rudimentary 
> compounds found in common use by gardeners. It is not use but 
irresponsible 
> use that create contamination problems.
> 
> Yes, your fertilizer is inorganic. The P2O5 in a 50# bag is the 
same that 
> might be found in 525 # of ashes (arguably no longer organic since 
the 
> organic source has undergone chemical conversion through burning). 
Or, you 
> could add 1,400 pounds of cattle manure. Or you could add 1500 
pounds of 
> digested sewage sludge. Each contains the desirable phosphorus as a 
plant 
> nutrient in a usable form. Each comes with its own set of benefits 
and 
> deficiencies. Each is capable of producing run off problems with 
> irresponsible use.
> 
> Hopefully this aids your effort to put phosphates in perspective,
> 
> Bill Burleson 7a/b
> Old South Iris Society
> Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your 
eyes off the 
> goal.- Henry Ford
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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