Re: [CH] fert

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Byron has stated many truths concerning myths and fables of fertilization. But
there is one thing that most folks miss. What is the current condition of your
soil before adding anything.

If your soil has good levels of usable Nitrogen, adding more will cause a lot
of green growth and little fruit. Just fact. Also the PH has to be "right" so
the Nitrogen can be dissolved and utilized. If PH is to high the plants can not
get the chemicals out of the soil. Adding more will not fix this problem and
will create another problem of to much salts.

I use Peters 20-20-20 on seedlings until transplanting into garden. I want
green growth and root building at this stage. I switch to Miracle Gro 15-30-15
until first blossom flush then soak foliage and ground with 1/4 cup Epsom salts
to 2 1/2 gal. water and again at 30-45 days and again at 60-75 days or second
blossom flush.

Once fruit has set you want as little as possible new green growth. Stimulating
root and stem growth is important at this stage. So cut off all Nitrogen. I
have never practiced removing first fruits to "increase" later/overall
production. The problem I have is with branches that can not support the weight
of all the fruit. I have had to pick green fruit to keep the plant from braking
branches during heavy wind/rain storms. This year I think I will stake or cage
a few plants for a comparison.

Once again, WHAT IS YOUR SOIL CONDITION. What I do should not necessarily be
the same for your garden. I live on what used to be a farm. Some 20 years ago
when we first moved here I had a talk with a neighbor about the poor production
of my garden. He said "Yea, we never could get any thing to grow on that little
hill of yours". I my case Nitrogen is needed. In yours? One more time, check
your soil first!

Steve

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• Maybe in reply to: Byron.Bromley: "[CH] fert"
• Next in thread: =Mark: "[CH] Mid Atlantic Hotluck images"