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NEPA roller46@hotmail.com KB3QKV

I saw on "Gardening by the Yard" on HGTV this morning that since most plants use n-p-k at a ratio of about 3-1-2 that a fert such as 10-10-10 is not a balanced fert but 3-1-2 and multiples of, are more balanced. We change ferts as the season progresses but is this true, 3-1-2 is balanced?

7/17/2006 8:26:44 AM

Mocksville, NC

Depends on what they were growing 3-1-2 is close , and what the plant needs.
Sounds like they were feeding a (established) plant or tree, or lawn or veggies half way through to harvest.
Balanced~ it maybe what they need to balance, but in my opinion is the fertilizer balanced, just look at the numbers 3-1-2 = at N 30% P 10% K 20%.

7/18/2006 7:11:39 AM

Montoursville, PA

Roger's report is one, of the first I have seen, that relates the slow delivery, of low number organic product with the higher numbers, of manfactured NPK. This is good.

Most advisors thinking, of maximum umph, would side dress at about thirty days and again at sixty days when using organics. Rule, of thum, is that it takes three weeks, to be converted and that maximum availability can be maintained with light side dressings two times following the initial application. Some value from this type of application will carry over into the following years. This is also true of the manures we suggest being fall applied yearly.

The manufactured NPK products all leach heavily. What remains are the salts that build up and eventually cause probelems. In either case the pumpkin can only use a small amount, of the application. What you have left is the difference. Where the leaching goes is the main big picture so many do not wish, to speak about. All leaching goes down stream, to the rivers, bays and oceans. If it is not bio-degradable it eventually all goes down stream.

7/18/2006 7:37:47 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

3%N or even 4-1-2 is balanced for a plant making green foliage like deciduous & evergreen trees, grass, houseplants, etc. So "yes" to the core answer. Early when we're trying to run vines. a 4-1-2 is ratio ideal.

But we favor high soluble "P" just prior to fruit set to promote flowering. Later we favor "K" for finishing.

At no time should any element run low so trace amounts of all 3 might appear throughout the entire season but as our conversations go, we need to keep an eye that we don't accumulate too much of anything.

All of this assumes we started with a "balanced" soil in the first place.

7/18/2006 7:54:08 AM

Mocksville, NC

That was better said, Steve thank you!

7/18/2006 8:07:20 PM