[CH] fert

Byron.Bromley (Byron.Bromley@Gsd-Co.Com)
Tue, 16 Mar 1999 17:39:34 -0500 

Rob Johnston Jr., owner of Johnny's seeds, is frequent writer and
consultant to Organic Gardening. Stokes Seeds has been selling
seeds for 118 years. I would say a reputable source of info.

In both of their catalogs in the growers guides they say for
peppers LOW nitogren. Side dress once or twice per SEASON
My County Agent says "Starve peppers"

Lets take a look at Nitrogen level's, in my area, I can find
a low of 1 and a high of 31, except some organic urea of 45.
When I went to school, on a scale of 1 to 31, a 5 would be a low,
a 15 would be a medium a 20 would be a medium high
With a low of 1 and a high of 31 I would put Miracle Gro
as a medium nitrogen level, not a low.

Lets look at some of the problems.

Pinetree Gardens advocates Miracale Gro, They say they get 10 habs
per plant. ( I averaged of 40 in the worst growing season in 100 years)

Ray Kaspro Uses a folar feed of 27-15-12, Has 4 1/2 ft Red Savina's
with no fruit and 7ft Rocoto's with a few cool fruits 

A tomato grower I chatted with said he tried Miracale Gro on tomatoes
by the instructions 100% every 2 weeks. Had 7ft Early Girls with 3
small fruit per plant.

I have chatted with about 20 others that have had similar problems 
There has to be something wrong.

While I am at it for those that flame me for using mouthwash to control
bacterial infections, look at the last ingredient on a box of Miracle Gro,
Miracid and Fish emulsion. That ingredient is chlorine.
(which by the way, I had 5 different "Master Gardeners" tell me I could
not use on plants)

I have tried hi-Nitro's in my garden, I hate them. My personal
opinion of Scotts fertilizers are to sell products, not to really 
grow veggie gardens with. If anyone on this list is interested I have 
a file with all the problems I have had with hi-nitrogen fertilizers.
If anyone wants to read it give me a non-posted click. Because it isn't
chile's
 

What is also forgotten is that the origin of peppers is from very poor
soil.

What I would like to ask you folks is to try a few plants this way
Mix some epsom salts, 1 tbsp per gal of water
At transplanting add 1/3 cup of 5-20-20 and 1 pint of epsom salts, and
1 tbsp of 0-20-0 super phosphate per plant
At 1st fruit set repeat.
Do not feed again for the rest of the season

5-20-20 is a granular fertilizer, here it $7 for 50lb
Epsom salts at Walmart is $1.29
My 0-20-0 cost $6.99 for 5 lb
Why epsom salts ? Plants actually need a little more magnisium
than potasium. So far I have not seen magnisium in any commercial
fertilizer. RE Reader Digest "Organic Gardening "

The best way to learn is to spend the "Tuition money" and
do it yourself. I am only asking you to try it on 2 or 3 plants.
Just do it with the same variety that you feed Miracle Gro to.

At the end of your growing season, compare 
and get back to me with your results.
Here is a few comparisons
1 Plant habit: Example a SB should be 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall
   about the same diameter
   Do your plants stand up straight ?
   Excessive height is caused by excessive nitrogen
   Weak stalk/stems are caused by excessive nitrogen
2. Blossom drop at temps above 50F and below 85F
   Blossom drop in this range is excessive nitrogen
    --Every blossom that drops is one less pod.--
3. Pods per plant IE SB and Habs should have between 40 to 60
    pods per plant
    Low pod count is caused by excessive nitrogen
4.  Pod heat, which pods are hotter ??
    Low heat is caused by excessive nitrogen.

Personaly I think that anyone recommending 15-30-15 or 20-20-20 to
a newbie to grow peppers with, is recieving extra funds from Scotts
EG Kick backs

Byron