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Heber City Utah

been doing research on peat moss chem contents .my patch is 80 % peat most of the contents are super low in most all
. areas nitro-2.4-2.5 potassium .0024 phosphorus .0035 and several other areas like iron are all low I am waiting on my soil test but was wondering on ways to adjust is there a liquid or powder that can get you in range when your dealing with low everything? thanx Trac

3/25/2015 5:36:25 PM

Colorado

trac thats kind of what beni meyer grew in-he called it substrate -its the potting mix they use in their commercial flower business.He uses a water sol fertilizer and keeps the salinity level of his substrate in a range thats not to salty . It monitors with a salinity meter

3/26/2015 5:29:42 PM

Torrance, Ca.

You left out the computer that runs the whole fertilizer injector system Joe.

And,,,,,,, Yes,,,,,,, I'm jealous!!

3/26/2015 6:07:32 PM

Heber City Utah

Thanx for the info a fertilizer injector out of my range maybe some day just looked at some info calcium hi way did not know the importance of calcium and magnesium if they are not at good levels your wasting your time I think calcium is a slow mover ? not sure what to use Gypsum /bone meal /calcium nitrate or look into some of Joels products

3/27/2015 12:42:26 PM

Rhode Island

Gypsum for calcium. Trac go to Ron Wallace page you can see it on opening page of bigpumpkins top right coner,,, He has the best stuff around... Look at the all-pro micro for root,s

3/28/2015 8:36:07 AM

Heber City Utah

thank you for all the info !! one question I still battle leggy stem when germing I have tried dozens of things over several seasons any ideas ? thanx trac

3/29/2015 3:43:24 PM

Germany

In many cases it´s the combination of high temperatures and poor light intensity which makes the seedlings grow leggy. I´m sure you wouldn´t have leggy plants if you started your seeds like "ordinary" pumpkin seeds in an outdoor patch around mid May. Therefore, as soon as the seedling is out of the dirt, try to create a combination of temperatures and light intensity which is similar to mid May. Of course, currently there´s not as much sunshine as in May. Therefore, the temperatures should also be a little lower (at least not higher).

3/29/2015 4:10:48 PM

East Jordan, MI

Pumpking is spot on.
As soon as the seed pushes above the dirt, get it out of the heated germination area and outside in the sunshine if at all possible. When it must be indoors keep it as close to a florescent light as possible (almost touching). Light cycle of 18 hours on, 6 off. Get it out in the patch just as soon as you can tell which way the first leaf is going to go (the vine will naturally go the opposite direction).

3/29/2015 5:22:14 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I used to have problems with leggy seedlings until last year when I made my new germination box. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=214034
The Styrofoam insulation and daylight fluorescent bulbs keep the temperature around 85 to 88 degrees. The aluminum foil reflects the light from all directions, and it is nearly blinding. The CFL bulbs don't get too close so there is no danger of burning leaves, and the seedlings come out nice and stocky.

3/29/2015 5:43:40 PM

West Paris Me.

Iowegian I have never seen those plug in sockets. Are they special order? Those lights would be more energy efficient than what I am using.

3/30/2015 5:26:43 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I got them at Walmart. Plug them into a power strip bolted onto the lid. Works great for starting tomatoes and peppers too.

3/30/2015 6:29:11 PM

Heber City Utah

Thanx for the info on leggy stem I have a lighting fixture on the way I think heat is where I am running into problems the stems shoot through the roof while the leaves cant keep up . one more question can anyone recommend a good ph test kit for soil ? Thanx for all the info

3/31/2015 1:37:14 PM

West Paris Me.

Thanks I check them out

4/2/2015 10:02:50 PM

West Paris Me.

I'll

4/2/2015 10:03:21 PM