Re: NPK
There are three common sources of phorphorus: triple superphosphate
(0,46,0), rock phosphate and bone meal. Phosphorus is not very mobile in
soils so it needs to be incorporated into the soil. I used bone meal once.
At least one but probably several of the neighborhood animals dug up the
rhizomes and a lot more in a futile effort to find the main source of what
must have been a very attractive scent. One hole was almost a foot deep. I
do not recommend bone meal if there are animals around. I now use the triple
superphosphate as a 50# bag is less than $10 and it lasts for a long time.
Harold Peters
Beautiful View Iris Garden
El Dorado Hills, CA USDA zone 9
harold@directcon.net www.beautiful-view-iris.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "The Bilson's" <jandnbilson@salisbury.net>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:@artemis.directcon.net;>
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2000 7:08 AM
Subject: [sibrob] NPK
>
> Jack Bilson Jr.
> Rosy Hem Garden
> Salisbury, NC - zone 7
>
> Just a thought.......
> In reviewing NPK a simplified overview would be that:
>
> Nitrogen provides growing power and makes plant leaves and stems green.
>
> Phosphorus stimulates budding and blooming.
>
> Potassium (or K) promotes strong vigorous roots and resistance to disease.
>
> We have discussed "spring sickness" and foliage problems. If we are
> experiencing problems we should have a soil test completed. The
University
> and County Agriculture tests are very detailed and based on averages from
> samples from various parts of the garden. I use the kits sold for the
> person who wants to do their own testing as a backup to the professionally
> done tests. This allows for testing individual sections of the property.
>
> It seems to follow that if our K or potassium was low we could have
disease
> problems. I used to put my plants to bed for the winter with a mild 0-5-6
> fertilizer. It has become difficult to find a reasonably priced
fertilizer
> with 0 nitrogen. Experienced gardeners taught me that a 1/2 inch of wood
> ashes would provide an adequate amount of K in a garden that was low in
> potassium. Now my hunt is for some product that provides the phosphorus.
> Note, that phosphorus is an element you do not want too much of in the
soil,
> so do your testing.
>
> Back to the books/Webb. I am trying to learn more about Tricontanol.
>
> Take care,
> Jack
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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