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Preventing High pH (Future). Avoid NO 3 - fertilizers Acidify water from 5.8 to 5.1 Reduce lime charge in substrate. Low pH Action Steps. Stop neutralizing alkalinity in water Switch from NH 4 + to NO 3 - Apply flowable limestone products: start with 1 quart per 100 gallons
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Preventing High pH (Future) • Avoid NO3- fertilizers • Acidify water from 5.8 to 5.1 • Reduce lime charge in substrate
Low pH Action Steps • Stop neutralizing alkalinity in water • Switch from NH4+ to NO3- • Apply flowable limestone products: • start with 1 quart per 100 gallons • mist solution off of foliage
Preventing Low pH (Future) • Avoid NH4+ fertilizers • Inject potassium bicarbonate: • start with 13.4 oz per 1,000 gal • supplies 1.0 meq/L alkalinity • supplies 39 ppm K • Increase lime charge in substrate
Monitoring EC • Set target EC ranges for crop being grown • Account for growth stages • Establishment, active growth, and bloom • Set upper and lower ranges
Active Growth Establishment Mature Plant Growth Cycle
PourThru EC’s • Crops vary in requirements • Low: 1.0 - 2.6 mS/cm • begonia, cineraria, impatiens • Moderate: 2.0 - 3.5 mS/cm • Easter lily, geranium, kale • Heavy: 2.6 - 4.6 mS/cm • chrysanthemum, poinsettia
High EC Action Steps • Decrease fertilization rate • Decrease fertilization frequency • Leach
Low EC Action Steps • Increase fertilization rate • Increase fertilization frequency
Questions ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Check our WEB sites NCSU Floriculture “Floricultureinfo.com” “Pourthruinfo.com” Horticultural Substrates Laboratory “substrateslab.com”
Bottom Line?
M&M’s Just Do It