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Santa Cruz, CA

It seems like many of the top growers check their nutrient and calcium levels by tissue tests mid growing season. We've never done that and have no idea as to how to go about that. How do you take your sample? Where do you send it? How do you know what to add after you get it back? Thanks again for all your help. It's much appreciated.

3/12/2007 2:41:06 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Each lab has their own sampling protocol but all are similar. I use CLC Labs in Westerville OH. Chuck likes 6-10 leaves that are fully expanded but not old. So I reach back about 4 leaves from the tip of a secondary. Tertiary vines are probably useful sources of sample material but probably not as "loaded".
Collect dry leaves & layer them loosely between sheets of dry newspaper & ship UPS Next Day Air (EXPENSIVE) only on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Otherwise the lab finds an expensive box of useless mush when they return to work on Monday morning.

Call around the various commercial & government ag stations to find someone more local.

3/12/2007 2:11:23 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Thanks Steve. How much does the test run typically? I'll ask our soils test lab and see if they do tissue test. This all sounds fun. What percentage of growers would you suspect do a mid-season tissue test?

3/12/2007 7:29:29 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

$65 with shipping rings a bell?

3/12/2007 11:45:17 PM