Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

New Brunswick

Well I am biting my nails over the contraversial use of potash. Do I or don't I? What are you other growers doing? Mine is a granular...not water soluable. Last year I dissolved some in a bucket of water...but I do not remember the amounts I used. and poured it around the plant stem. I am applying 20 20 20 at the rate of 5 mils in water per day. Is that amount ok?...or should it be stronger? Mine are growing at the rate of 10 pounds + per day. Is that ok or should I jump start em? My largest weighs 200 pounds with another 4 weeks before weigh off.

8/15/2003 8:59:33 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I just hit one of my patches yesterday thru the drip line system and used 3# per 1000 sq. ft.

I guess I'll know in a couple of days.

8/15/2003 9:23:56 AM

2-3 lbs per 1000 is fairly conservative. Unless you're already testing very high in Potash.

Steve

8/15/2003 12:15:24 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Steve...my soil test showed high , very high, potash levels. We've gotten so much rain I'm sure the soil has leached...and yes I'm conservative, I'd rather play safe to grow again another day!

8/15/2003 2:06:02 PM

New Brunswick

Mine is granular non soluable. I wondered how much to apply directly to stem and surrounding area of plant. Last yeat I mixed it in water. Some dissolved...some did not...but the water turned a pretty pink. LOL How should I apply this stuff?

8/15/2003 6:04:22 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I wouldn't pour anything on the stump or stem. Spread the granular around the plant, 2' or so from the vines so you don't burn 'em.

No noticeable effect from my 3# per 1000 sq ft in 24 hours, but I'm giving it another day or so....course, I have been accused of being conservative like the Republican I am :0)

8/15/2003 9:17:13 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

PS...water afterwards.

8/15/2003 9:17:54 PM

New Brunswick

Mine are growing 5 to 15 pounds per day. How much should I sprinkle around each plant? I want a safe amount....I'm not good at gambling. (: Will I still use the 20 20 20 solable? I just read my post. I did not apply directly to the stem or stump(tho that is what I said ...the heat is getting to me..LOL) Actually I just poured it on the surrounding soil. I think I used 3/4 cup to a large pail of water per plant...but am not sure. Does that seem about right?

8/15/2003 9:26:01 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Sprinkling amount is a crapshoot that I don't go near, too hard to guestimate. I add 2# per 55 gallon watering drum...conservative.

I also did a short (10 mins) foliar with Triple 20.
Now, watch 'em be blown open by tomorrow....

8/15/2003 11:18:18 PM

Brigitte

be sure to get it off all leaves, stems, etc! i broadcasted some on yesterday morning, and watered, and walked around with the sprinkler to wash it off the leaves, and i still missed a few spots...by today, the affected leaves where brown and shrively. luckily no major damage done. make sure to wash it off good!

8/15/2003 11:24:08 PM

Whidbey

Whidbey Island

I have a soluble 0 0 60 and have been told to dilute 6 ounces of powder in one gallon of water, and then dilute this solution at the rate of 2-3 tablespoons per gallon of water. My question,,,,Would this solution be too strong to use as a foliar spray? If no answer, I'll try it on a few leaves out on one of the secondary vines and let you know.

8/16/2003 12:14:06 AM

New Brunswick

I would rather just mix in a large pail. Any Idea how much granular per gallon of water? I do not have any way to weigh this stuff....a measurer would be better for me...eg. cup or tbsp.

8/16/2003 7:44:45 AM

Measuring by volume won't work in this case unless we know the SGN (size guide number) of the prills (& the bulk density which I have already). Since I'll assume you don't have a handy little Sylvite SGN meter kicking around perhaps you can indicate the approximate size? Smaller than a BB. Same size? Or bigger? Then I'll toss 1 pound of the same sized material on my diet scale & post the outcome. As hard as it is to believe, I have all three of the common SGN's out in the garage. I'll weigh one coffee can of each in a little while just to see. You've got me wondering. Who but a fertilizer manufacturers rep huh? I should probably have my head examined! LOL.

PS. The sulfate of potash will be harder to dissolve than the red stuff did since it was muriate of potash which is more soluble. Muriate can also be white in many parts of the country even though the analysis & SI are the same.

Steve

8/16/2003 8:05:48 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

uh-oh....30# and 32# increase on 2 test plants, in 1 day. Hope we don't go boom...

8/16/2003 4:32:01 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

we just got 1 1/2" rain...thank goodness for sandy loam soil.

8/16/2003 7:42:49 PM

New Brunswick

ok...I just went down cellar and took a look at it. It is red..and the size of granular kitty litter. It turns out it is classed as "soluble potash". I know it is heavier than all get out. I can barely budge the bag. It is 0 0 60

8/16/2003 10:24:24 PM

Here we go.

I weighed one volumetric cup of red IMC potash today. I used the classic 8 oz. Pyrex kitchen type, standard issue, everybody has one measuring cup. Now it has been humid as all heck here & the material was slightly damp. So this weight measurement won't be 100% accurate. But it wieghed 6.5 oz.

Therefore 1 lb of red ICM Standard sized (SGN220) kitty clitter looking muriate of potash would "measure" 2.46 cups.

So 1 lb of applied potash per 1000 sq ft plant would require 4.099 "cups" of material.

Here's a link to the maufacturer that I'll wager made the material you have:

http://www.imcglobal.com/products/potash/mop_standard.htm

Desert Storm, 1 cup per 600 square foot plant would be a conservative move indeed. Just make sure to evenly spread the material in the feeder root zone & remove ALL the prills from the foliage either mechanically or through agressive irrigation or both.

Steve

8/16/2003 11:06:37 PM

Autumnloft

Monrovia,CA

Does anyone know where I can order water soluble potash on line? I give up on all the local garden centers.
Thanks!
Michelle

8/16/2003 11:40:25 PM