Re: new theory on droughts and fertilizers..
One theory holds that prolonged periods of
inadequate water creates an imbalance between
plant and root system. When insufficient moister
can be located by the plant, the roots expand
deeper and wider in search of it, while the upper
portion of the plant stagnates. Additional
fertilizers at this time are pointless as little
uptake is occurring. Nutrient deficiencies begin
to develop in the fruits as resources are rerouted
to care for plant maintenance. Fungal, bacterial,
viral and insect attack will take a greater toll
due to reduced resistance. Now the plant has
pushed a massive root system down in search of
water, deeper than your daily watering is
penetrating. Growth has slowed on top while the
plant developed deeper roots. When suddenly the
weather changes in the plants favor (good soaking
rains, cooler temperatures) the plant reverses it
bottom/top priority and begins growing again. The
combination of stressed fruit from nutrient
deficiency and a over zealous root system causes
the fruit to split.
--
Greg Schraiber
Machesney Park, IL
(Wherever the heck that is)
> brocfarm wrote:
>
> Rocky,
>
> I believe that you may have something there.........but I would bet that
> you would still get splitting and rotting even if your weren't
> fertilizing.....if your plants were in the least bit lacking in water then
> it rained this would swell the fiber cells and be too much and split.
> Perhaps the plant overreacts and sucks-up too much too fast....perhaps
> every pore stomata is absorbing too... I split some pumpkins this year
> merely because i got behind on the water....then watered a good amount..and
> split..tomatoes and fruit will do the same thing if droughted too long then
> watered heavily or a light rain whamo they split. Also if a plant is
> lacking in water it is more prone to scorch from the sun and I also believe
> that it is unable to cool its self off and leads to over heating then
> rot.................just few more cents worth.....Brock
>
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