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Kutztown, PA

How long does it take potassium to get in the system?

[Last edit: 07/22/24 1:54:29 PM]

7/22/2024 9:44:46 AM

Grittyville, WA

Should be rapid, absorbed noticeably in a day or less. Leaf edges may curl down if there is a prolonged excess?

7/23/2024 2:01:10 AM

Kutztown, PA

Thanks Gritty! I'm wondering if anyone has ever successfully changed the daily weight gain for a pumpkin that has a steady gain. For example, if a pumpkin was putting on 10 lb. a day for 20 days and some "top secret" amendment was applied that initiated a 15 lb. a day growth rate???? Maybe prune juice, cannabis oil, V-8, or eye juice of newt. (:

7/23/2024 9:03:14 AM

Grittyville, WA

Ha. If a plant is deficient in phosphorus then it could show a big gain, because it will help the energy flow much better within the plant, it could be the same if a a grower switches their leaves from light green to dark green, this will ramp up the available energy as well... perhaps not as instantly as phosohorus?

Take this with a grain of salt, I believe this is true, its based on what I know but and my past experience. Disclaimer: These statements assume that I know what I am talking about, and thats always a big assumption.

Get a tissue test done and let the witchcraft begin...

7/23/2024 12:29:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

Also, there are a couple nutrients that will show up as adequate on a tissue test but they could probably be boosted upwards, the plant could be hungry for more... I think iron and magnesium, and ??? Potassium wouldnt be where I would focus unless the older leaves are showing aging/chlorosis of the leaf margins. But thats just me. I'm sure other growers would have their own opinions, or they can see where I'm wrong.

7/23/2024 12:49:40 PM

Syracuse, NY

LK, G - Your belief and now mine about the nutrients stored in leaves is overtaking, in my patch - Thinking about why leaves are in tatters or yellow and/or food for slugs/CB or folding in the breeze?
Probably, they've had their stuff drained out so why not foliarly hit them first with the 'makeup ferts?'...along with the rest of the plant, of course. OTHERS are tossing in additional FERTS all the time; WOW, whoda thought? In other words, if they have been providing ANY stuff to the remaining plant, they still must be, until simply GONE, therefore, they are an entry point for the remedy. I also read a nice article that said a lot and Phosphorus is very slow at getting into the plant, so, IMHO, rinsing is a no-no on more often than a bi-daily basis. The rain will take care of that. New growth is the other best entry point, as it is still sensitive to 'grower input'. eg

[Last edit: 07/24/24 12:16:26 AM]

7/24/2024 12:14:24 AM

Grittyville, WA

Just a few drops of rain thus far in July, not enough to wash anything off. No rain in the forecast. Yeah not every nutrient is going to be well absorbed or helpful even if it is absorbed. Dying or yellow leaves will usually not revert to being healthy. I'm a big fan of the tissue tests the plants respond amazingly when they are given what they need, and not any of the stuff they don't need.

7/24/2024 2:07:53 AM

Kutztown, PA

Gritty, I wish I had your "no rain" problem. I applied a lot of my feed at the beginning of season in granular form. Then did some weak drips and some full dose foliar with the blue/pink stuff. I have to believe with as much rain as I've had that a lot is getting washed trough and needs replenishment. I'm planning to start with some humic/seaweed foliar this week. I don't mind it growing slow as long as it doesn't stop. I have 70-80 days before weigh off time. I'm sending a tissue sample to Western today. I'll share the results when they come in.

7/24/2024 9:42:59 AM

Kutztown, PA

I was reading some info on phosphorous uptake written out of the University of Hawaii. I read that phosphorous uptake increases as temperature is increased. I also read that the primary intake path begins at the tips of young roots. Maybe the best time to apply phosphorous is during the warmest part of the season. They didn't give any temp. ranges. Just a thought.

7/24/2024 1:39:56 PM

Grittyville, WA

Nice. Take a pic of your plant on the day you take the sample (or soon) eventually you'll start to see a connection between the appearance of the plant and the nutrient profile. But Ive had plants that look very well fed (to me) and yet the analysis says dump more fertilizer on... We'll see if thats the case for you.

7/24/2024 1:41:49 PM