new theory on droughts and fertilizers..

This is an ongoing discussion I have been having with a few growers on
the list, and my local growers. If youhave any ideas or comments, let me
know..

QTE:

   As for the 936.5 Handy  my friend was growing, he has lost all of his
pumpkins, the 936.5 down due to a crack after it had reached 600 pounds,
and the 1092 Burke he lost after it reached about 450 pounds. The 1092
went down to catastrophic stem split/rot. We had a real rough year with
a drought, but I think I learned more this year for future years than
anyother year I have grown. My conclusion is this about splitting. When
the weather is dry (like we had this year) it is imperitive that you
backoff the fertilizers a bit, due to the lack of water that goes deep
enoughinto the soil to help the leecheing of that fertilizer into the
soil at its anticipated rate. Even though I watered 50-70 gallons a day,
I beleive that a good percentage of the 20-20-20 and the early 15-30-15
treatments I applied laid unreleased, and when we got our first big 2
day rain in the beginning of August, it activated alot of the dormant
fertilzer that didnt get into the soil and to the plants, there by
creating an overfertilized plant, followed by a growth spurt, and then
followed by the crack. It hapened to me last year, and I do believe that
this is the case this year. My partner, Mark Elsbree, and I discussed
this at length and both agree that without those soaking rains we have
grown accustomed to atleast 1-2 times a month, the fertilizer must be
backed off to avoid this from happening. Or atleast until after a few
days of rain where there is proper moisture in the soil. I would water
50-70 gallons in the morning, and come home after work to find the plant
dehydrated and leaves drooping, very sad. So where is all that water
going? Not deep enough, is our answer. Any ideas from your end? I am
going to additionally post this theory to the group for discussion.

--
***Rocky Rockwell***

http://home.cyber-quest.com/rocky.r

"Woodchuck - The Other White Meat"


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