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Fairport,NY

What are some good water soluable fertilizers for running in-line thru a standard soakerhose? Looking for a good regularly available 20-20-20,13-40-13 and 13-13-35? I am planning on running these thru a standard Miracle Grow in-line spray unit. I believe it's set standard, 4 to 1 ratio?
If Anyone already doing this could varify the appliction rates that also would be very helpful. My plan is to start with the 20-20-20 mid May to get the "salad" growing and then back off to 13-40-13 around the third week of June to stimulate Flower and fruit development after the Week of the 4th of July I am going to go to the 13-13-35 to help in fruit set. again any other suggestions would really help
Thanks
Bumkin

4/13/2008 11:40:03 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Bumpkin,

A subject near & dear to my wallet.

All dry solubles are made from dry granules. But not all dry granular ingredients have the same salt index.

More significantly (for this conversation), all of the mills that grind granules into soluble powders are NOT the same quality. As the mills age they wear. As they wear, they start producing lower quality (coarser) solubles.

Hence many solubles don't dissolve completely & will plug the pores of a soaker hose.

Just to make the subject a little more confusing; different ingredients vary in their solubility. Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) for instance, is a pain in the butt to dissolve. If the mill is also worn then look out! Half of the phosphorus might never make it to the plants.

Changing the analysis based on the growth stage of the plants is a given. Don Langevin covered this subject well in his first book.

Nitrogen Early
Phosphorus just before flowering
Nothing right after fruit set
Moderate potash as a finisher

All in careful moderation with restraint guided by soil test results & knowledge of organic amendments & other inputs.

4/13/2008 1:48:14 PM