RE: Random thoughts

One of the things I have done is apply calcium directly to the fruit.  I
haven't had one go light yet and it seems to give the skin strength without
making it tough.  Of course, I also haven't grown over 500 lbs (until this
year...I have to be optimistic.)  Just my 1.5 cents. 

-Gus

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	vince [a*@yahoo.com] 
Sent:	Tuesday, April 15, 2003 12:16 AM
To:	pumpkins@hort.net
Subject:	Re: Random thoughts

Does high potassium steal weight by hindering calcium uptake??

I think it does.

High Magnesium is another stealer.... 

All three are cations which chemically compete with each other.

I have an interesting example in my patch.  Two years ago when
my patch was high in potassium and magnesium all my pumpkins
were light. One was 20% light.

Last year after two years of gypsum treatment to increase
calcium and lower both magnesium and potassium I had two
pumpkins weigh heavy.  One was 20% heavy.

Gypsum is mostly calcium and sulfer and helps leach magnesium,
potassium and sodium salts from the soil by making them more
mobile.

Believe it.  Too much potassium or magnesium will bring pumpkin
weights down....

vince


--- Mike and Vickie Brock <vbrock@mcn.org> wrote:

> I know we focused on calcium to help add weight but a comment
> from the soils
> guy that high levels of potass can hinder the uptake of
> calcium then there
> Boily down under heavy genetics light to the charts........
> Too high
> potassium? Need to ask that guy........
> 
> I know genetics play a role but sometimes weight seems to be
> connected to
> environmental factors too.  Perhaps there is a optimum level
> that aids in the uptake -----
> 
> I wonder if we can find a pattern of high potassium and not
> so heavy pumpkins.........heavy pumpkins and not too high
potass.
> 
> I think the rain stopped  got to go!....MB
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