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Washington State

As the pumkins begin the high growth phase, all the Calcium necessary may not be available. This mineral does not translocate from the roots to the fruit and growing tips as readily as some other minerals. Foliar applications of our BIOMIN CALCIUM or NUTRIMIN CALCIUM Can provide the quickly available Ca. that is needed to help fruits avoid cracking and to allow development of thick flesh and strong cell walls. Our premium BIOMIN CALCIUM is chelated. It has complex synergists, such as the amino acid Glycine, in order to deliver the Calcium where its needed in the tiny particle sizes necessary for quick absorption. See more at: www.hollandsgiants.com on the "Fertilizers" page.

7/22/2007 12:34:24 PM

West Auckland , New Zealand

As gypsum is quite soluble would there be any benefit to the pumkin if it was used as a foliar spray. Would appreciate any comment on this

7/23/2007 10:30:59 PM

Washington State

Gypsum is a ground up mineral, Calcium Sulphate, It actually takes a while to react when mixed into the soil. I would not recommend it as a foliar spray.

7/24/2007 12:21:11 AM

Omaha, NE (N41-15-42 )

I put 1200 lbs of Gypsum in my patch a couple of years ago, and it has been really slow to raise the calcium levels.

7/24/2007 10:31:26 AM

West Auckland , New Zealand

Thanks for the advice guys . we don't have the same range of products available in N.Z . It's a bit of a back water. I have a very clay soil i was going to put gypsum on to break up the clay . Do you think i would get any benefit from a good dose of lime or would this alter the ph to much

7/24/2007 4:10:33 PM

President - GPC

Only use lime if you want to raise the Ph of your soil, test your soil to be sure, I think clay ususally goes alkaline.....to reduce your Ph use Elemental Sulphur....

7/24/2007 4:16:05 PM

West Auckland , New Zealand

Thanks wiz i thought clay was acidic.I will take your advice and check it before i do anything

7/24/2007 4:31:07 PM

President - GPC

I also liked to add Canandian peat moss that they havent adjusted the Ph on, (3.2Ph) its a slower organic way to alter the Ph, and I bet it doesnt have to be Canadian....lol

7/25/2007 8:37:30 AM

West Auckland , New Zealand

have any of you guys got any ideas on the best way of busting that clay . One that does not require to much hard work would be nice .

7/25/2007 4:59:42 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Brentski, it will take a few years of adding organic matter such as manure, maple leaves, compost and such and working it into the soil, build that garden up and you will be very pleased.

7/25/2007 5:53:25 PM

West Auckland , New Zealand

Thanks Tom . Have a couple horses and some chooks on property . Best i track down that wheel barrow and get on to it

7/25/2007 6:02:38 PM

Northern Arizona

Brentski, dont put in grass clipings, we have very bad clay soil here. it is almost like concrete when dry. I added some grass clippings last year as a mulch and to get some organic and now I have a nice lawn growing in my garden. I try to water really deep about 2 days before I dig. so it is still moist but not to sicky.

8/1/2007 10:51:02 PM

Puyallup, WA

Brentski....I had a serious clay problem with my soil. It takes years and tons of manure and compost to change the consistency of your soil....depending on your patch size. Add as much as you can each year, and you will notice an improvement gradually.

8/2/2007 1:53:02 PM