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Dillsburg, PA

I tested at 7.8 in March and added some sulfer. Last year my plants developed chlorosis. Will ironite help nutrient uptake with a high ph? I have been feeding the plant very small dosages and all is well. I just don't want to run into the problems that I had last year. Also, considering very small amounts of miracle grow for acid loving plants. Any suggestions appreciated.

6/29/2005 7:26:03 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Ironite will help supply Iron only. Your plants may exhibit Iron & other nutrient deficiencies at a pH of 7.8. Adding any good source of Iron will help Iron. However fixing the pH will make ALL of the nutrients that are held in your soil more available.

Go easy & take your time pushing the pH down during the growing season. Make larger changes during the off-season.

6/29/2005 7:36:17 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Thanks Tremor, How would you lower the ph in season. I have already added sulfer a few months back. Would watering with a fert. that is for acid plants be the ticket. I am only using small amounts of fert now and plan to keep it that way.Thanks

6/29/2005 7:40:05 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Go the other way ...ferts for acid loving plants will only make it worse...add sulfer to every feeding.

6/29/2005 8:37:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Jeff wants to acidity, so ferts for acid loving plants would be better than not but...if you don't need additional ferts we're still not speaking to the issue. Plus these ferts have very little impact on pH.

Try to find some flowable sulfur. Add small quantities with every watering. This is much easier to use at low rates than the granular or split pea pellets.

I know of folks who have tried using phosphoric & sulfuric acids but I wouldn't recommend it without the assistance of a local agronomist who knows your soils & how they would respond to such a treatment program.

Personally, I'd stick to the basics for now. Jack LaRue grew a thousand+ pounder on the same pH you have there. But I'm sure he was meeting all of the nutrient minimums all the same.

6/29/2005 9:35:40 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Thanks guys, getting another soil test done this week. I am hoping that the sulfer I added in March brought done the Ph to around seven. I will keep up the light feedings of mollasis with sulfer and the acid fert just in case. It probably doesn't make that much of a difference but every point lowered is good in my case.

6/30/2005 7:58:28 AM

Montoursville, PA

Interesting: Which Ironite product are you using? How much on what size patch? The Ironite Liquid I use is NPH about 7-9-6. Might be off a tiny bit on the numbers but not the general balance. Foliar use is half a cap full or about half an ounce per gallon each time you water.

6/30/2005 1:42:07 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Yes Doc I am using the same as you 7-6-6 I think. Used in very small dosages of about 1/4 cap full per two gallons. The acid loving fert I am using calls for the norm two tablespoons but I am only using a pinch per gallon. My soil test came back all very high in nutrients so I just want to gradually lower the ph. Am I using the correct stuff? Thanks

6/30/2005 3:03:40 PM

Montoursville, PA

You are doing OK as I see it. See how the plants do, in this situation. I would wait until middle September and have another soil test. Could be the test is, on the high side, of the window it can be expected, to cover. What your plants are doing is more truth than any one soil test.
...If your up to it you could mulch with a very small amount, of Canadian Peat. To much will not work. Use half an inch or so and scratch it in just a little. Damp it and then, after a day or two of damp conditions add a tiny bit more.
One large bale would surely do two plants...but make sure you have it damp or make it damp in thin layers as you apply or it will suck up valued water from the soil. And for sure keep it damp in the form of a light mulch.

7/1/2005 7:01:31 PM

San Diego, Ca.

Maybe Tremor could speak to this issue...couldn't Jeff water in some aluminum sulfate to get the pH down very quickly?
I never used it but have considered it when my pH was up there.
There is a risk of developing aluminum toxicity if too much is used, so watch out!

Jeff, peat moss will do wonders for your pH if you add it in the off-season. Plus you gain more OM.

7/3/2005 7:20:40 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Aluminum sulphate is a lot like Sulfur but also adds aluminum which plants can & do use. If the Al levels are low, this wouldn't be a bad selection. But I would still do easy with the inseason adjustments unless some of the other needed elements are already on the edge of deficient & lowering the pH would help. Iron is a good example since is not readily available at a high pH.

7/3/2005 11:58:08 PM

Dillsburg, PA

Thought I replied yesterday but for some reason my post is missing? I added sulfer in March so I am hoping that my soil test will show a lower ph. I will report back next week with the results. Thanks for the suggestions.

7/4/2005 6:22:52 AM

Dillsburg, PA

Test back and soil ph is now 6.9. I am in the good range.

7/8/2005 4:16:16 PM