Re: Hot air?
Thanks for clarifying that to me Wayne. I only responded to that because
the nice folks at Ironite had a bad rap in the beginning on this list
from some people saying it was highly toxic, when in fact the stuff has
one of the smallest warning labels of all the extras I put into my soil.
I know of alot of users of Ironite, and while I too am unsure of its
effects on the PH level, I have followed the application rates to a
"t". I cant wait to hear what Jim's soil tests reveal in the way of low
level components, or high levels for that matter to see what contributed
to the 5.? PH level.... I used the 1 box per 1000 sq ft application
rate, and have had great success this year, and actually, my plants are
the healthiest they have looked this far into the season over the past 4
years of AG growing. Usually by now I have alot of crumpled up, dried
out leaves, when in actuality, I am getting some new growth to cover the
early powdery mildew losses.
Ironite has taken on the main sponsorship for the GPC this year, in
part to the great success it has had and important role the soil
additive has played in growing 2 of the largest ever in the Checkon
patch. I am sure that in the next few years you will see that atleast 7
out of the top ten pumpkin growers will be using Ironite, due to the
demanding AG plant and its needs from the soil. Micro nutrients are
becoming a big issue , and it even looks to be just as, if not more,
important than the seasonal fertilizer programs that Don Langevin's book
has led us on.
That brings me to the latest flash that a few of my ICQ and AOL/IM AG
growing buddies have discussed. Most seem to have stopped applying the
20-20-20 and 0-0-60 as they used to, thinking that it has contributed
greatly to the cracking and splitting of their beauties. Of course, it
goes along with the same theory that Jim Kuhn had, Overdosing!! I don't
want to throw these heavy hitter's names out without their express
written consent, but these northeastern US growers have been told by
people such as the Minister of Agriculture of Canada at the Guelph
Seminar back in March that if the soil is prepared properly at the
seasons start, there is no need to give these excessive doses of
fertilizers that we have grown accustomed to using. In thier words, "If
it isn't in there by May, it really wont do you much good by applying it
throughout the season, and actually can hurt the plant and fruit by not
leaching into the soil at a steady, constant pace like we would tend to
think it does.."..
This is food for thought, a bone for the list to chew on... Lets talk
fertilizer applications.. I for one, since July 1st have only used fish
emulsion and liquid seaweed, due in part that since I followed the
HTGWCGPII book fertilizer schedules, I have lost 3 big ones in the past
2 years. This year I don't want to take that chance, but still want to
do all I can to help her grow, so it is the light emulsions and seaweeds
for this grower.. And of course, my Ironite at the season's beginning,
and 90 days later a second application... (Ironite is good for 90 days,
then it needs to be reapplied..)..
Rocky Rockwell
http://www.PGPGA.com
http://home.cyber-quest.com/rocky.r
"No matter where you go, you will always be there....."
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