From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Colorado

I'm a little low (3000ppm vs. the "ideal" 4400ppm from western labs sheet) on nitrogen on a tissue test. Is it as simple as adding N to get my numbers up??? I feel like when I terminate a lot of vines (which I'm currently doing), my leaves always get darker (I'm assuming more N here), and perhaps that would be sufficient to get the nitrogen up, but keep the leaves looking young without too much N. Just curious if others have considered this.

My thought comes from looking at the niagara presentation from western labs a few years back- seems like a few of the growers on there went from N levels that were low in july to very high levels in august. Just curious if that is a combo of added N and also terminating vines.

I don't necessarily like to tweak micronutrients based on a tissue test, but I'm pretty sure I'm a little low on N as a few of my secondaries just aren't growing at the rate they should be.

presentation is here (the niagara one): http://24.119.119.179:8000/2-Atlantic%20Giant%20Pumpkins/

opinions?

7/24/2013 11:51:05 AM

Muddy Waters

I think you have to factor in how much compost you put down.If you did a lot like 5 yards per plant,then you can figure that 5 yards should be putting our more nitrogen now that it has had time to interact with soil.If not, like me only 2 yards per plant,Then I would kick it up with something to get up to the right #s.my test said 5900 was ideal.The test has to be trusted or you might as well saved your money.

7/24/2013 12:58:18 PM

Connecticut

LongmontPete-

In short adding N will increase your N levels;-) Getting to your questions with Nitrogen there are many things going on as this is the most variable nutrient. For one it can easily translocate in the plant so it can be directed to where it is needed and taken from older leaves. Also, microbes can make varying amounts based on the local environmental conditions. Rain events can flush some out but then it is likely to bounce back from biological activity.

So, why are there typically increases in N as the season goes on? Well, from July to August most likely the soil temperature is rising which is resulting in an increase in the soil biology which is resulting in an increase in the production of Nitrogen. Now, you are probably saying it is plenty warm in July, which is true but the soil is similar to a large body of water in the sense that it take a long time for the temperature to change. Most lakes (in the Northern Hemisphere) are warmest in August and to some extent the same thing can be said for the soil temperature.

Going back to your point with the darkening secondaries, this could be due to the nitrogen being sent down the vine to grow the vines at the high rate they typically do running into a dead end when they are terminated and increasing the N levels in the leaves.

With Nitrogen I would rather be a little short because it is easier to add than take away. If you wanted to do an in patch test take a nitrogen source (like blood meal 12%N or Urea 48%N) and side dress a secondary vine and water it in. Remember Urea is much stronger than blood meal so calculate amount of N added and then figure how much of the chosen product you need to add. Water the product in and wait about 3 days and see if there is a change in the secondary. Nitrogen works quick;-)

Hope this helps.

7/24/2013 9:28:38 PM