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Grittyville, WA

Does anyone have any fertilizing tricks? The plants seem to struggle with phosphorus and magnesium mostly when the weather is cold.

The chemical fertilizers dont always seem to work well in cold weather. Would an amino acid type fertilizer, like a fish fertilizer work the best?

I think Im getting ok results with bone meal. It seems to me like they cant absorb anything or grow well i cold weather unless its already got some amino acid component. Anyone agree?

5/13/2022 2:22:28 PM

Bethlehem CT

My gut tells me that when it is too cold you will not be able to get the plants properly nourished with Phosphorous no matter what. Sooner or later it will warm up for you and if there is available P your plant will stop showing signs of deficiency.

5/20/2022 5:45:09 PM

Torrance, Ca.

This time of year always sucks. I've spoke with Daletas up there a few times this year and he said the weather is not helping the plants at all! Rain, wind, cold,,,, new plants don't like this type of weather.
Once warm weather comes and I'm sure its just around the corner, things will perk up and you'll be a happy grower!:)

5/20/2022 7:12:22 PM

Grittyville, WA

Its too late to help anyone now but a fan heater set on low has helped a lot in past years. If I had known this year was going to be so wet and cold I would have done a lot of things different. I've been on fighting back on my hindfoot for a month.

5/20/2022 11:50:24 PM

Grittyville, WA

Weather has had me back on my heels/ always a step behind... However that expression goes.

5/20/2022 11:54:50 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Calcium Nitrate

5/22/2022 10:16:55 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Engel's nailed it!

Calcium nitrate and you'll see a difference in 2 days or less!

Fusarium loves nitrates so I have to be careful with this product.

5/22/2022 11:29:08 AM

Grittyville, WA

I have calcium nitrate but it hasnt been a panacea for me. I wonder if the reason cal nitrate works really well for some growers is when it feeds the soil biology at just the right level to wake the soil up. Thanks guys.

5/22/2022 1:25:55 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

A plant needs nitrogen to grow. Nitrogen in a colder soil is not readily available in a form the plant can uptake. The plant can readily uptake a nitrate. So Calcium Nitrate is your best source of nitrogen early on.

5/23/2022 7:29:41 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I know this guy who knows this other guy and that guy knows this lady who says when it’s cold out pray…

6/2/2022 7:45:08 PM

Nampa

Colder soil temps slow down the biology. When it's warmer, everything grows better. Heating cables are your friend. Otherwise, just add additional plant available phos.

8/4/2022 9:15:15 AM

Grittyville, WA

I heard chemical reactions will double, when the reaction is near room temperature, for every ten degrees added. In terms of plant growth, that certainly explains why 80 degrees seems to give double the growth of 70 degrees, and so on.

8/4/2022 10:12:10 AM

Western NY

They double with every 10 degree Celsius increase as a rule of thumb.

That doesn't account for enzymes in a reaction, which may not always follow that rule.

8/4/2022 1:34:24 PM