My Theory
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: My Theory
- From: G*@aol.com
- Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 21:52:17 EST
My theory as to what happens to soil used by the same crop year after year.
This seems to be more acute with Atlantic Giants.
1: Microbial activity is drastically reduced. Cause unknown. Result is the
soil is unable to breakdown natural plant foods into usable substances that
the plants can use. A sometimes fertile soil by most standards but a Dead one
incapable of providing the growth stimulant needed by Atlantic Giants.
2: Micro-nutrient depletion.
3: Susceptibility to disease increases, I.e.: Khun's Disease which is a
rapidly spread disease that can reduce a large Pumpkin and plant to a brown
soup in a matter of days. This was first observed a few yeas ago in NH and
MA. Cause unknown.
4: Plants respond to commercial fertilizers with spurts of growth then a rapid
decline until the next application. During this cycle they seem to be taking
up Nitrogen more than other nutrients. This can cause the Pumpkin mature
prematurely.
My first approach was to use the compost Feeding Planting Method that got me
my 617 in 91. That worked for a few years then that wasn't enough. I still
use this method but incorporated into the total soil stimulation plan.
What I'm trying to do:
A: Drastically increase Microbial Activity
B: Provide large amounts of natural fertilizers for the Microbes to eat.
C: Provide a steady diet of food that encourages lush growth but at a
consistent rate throughout the growing season. This is accomplished with the
two items listed above.
D: Provide a wide variety of Micro-nutrients to cover all possible
deficiencies.
E: Provide natural growth stimulants and additives that help the plants defend
against disease and grow rapidly.
F: Increase worm activity and population to breakdown organics.
I believe crop rotation helps slow this decline but doesn't stop it. It may
take two or three times longer to develop the same problems though.
My plan attacks all of these areas using some of the following found in
natural fertilizers, and some unconventional products and very old farmer
tricks to stimulate the soil. Some ingredients that are used: Poultry
Byproducts, Molasses, Alfalfa, Brewers Yeast and Corn Meal, Fish Meal and
Seaweed.
Well that's the plan but not with all details yet.
George
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