On-going photo essay "25 years of gardening" is in KT, if interested
roxanna
16 days ago
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roxanna
16 days agolast modified: 16 days agoRelated Discussions
Pro-TeKt question
Comments (11)Woody - there seems to be some sort of forgone conclusion that you should stop applications of N as fall approaches. You'll find mostly anecdotal evidence suggesting this as appropriate, but little, if any, scientific. In some circles convention dictates we only fertilize while plants are in actively growing, or from bud break - late summer. I often see it contended that late (fall) feeding of N is sure to 'force' new growth and the new growth will be killed by frost. But first, all tender new growth is killed by frost. Second, and probably more importantly, please consider that bud set occurs in mid-late summer, and while it takes N to fuel new growth, N plays no role in the initiation of bud-break. For that stimulus, look solely to photo-period. The acquisition of resistance to chill is related to both photo-period and decreasing temperatures and is actually improved with regular balanced N supplementation, so there is no reason not to continue supplementing N through fall and into early winter. Let your guide be soil temperatures. As long as soil temps are >55* plants will assimilate and store not only P & K, but N as well. This (tendency to store N) plays a pivotal role in fueling new growth in spring when soil temperatures are reduced and assimilation of N is depressed. BTW - please do not fertilize with organic sources of N like various meals, fish/seaweed emulsions, or urea when soils are cooler than 55* (ammonium toxicity). About Pro-TeKt: On its face it looks primarily like a potassium (K) supplement, but the K it contains mostly adds a degree of versatility to your fertilizer program if you're already supplying nutrients in an appropriate ratio. Remember that supplying an excess of any single nutrient can be as bad as a deficiency, so it's a valuable asset to have a pretty good idea of what you're supplying and when your plants will get it. 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers (ratios are different than NPK %s. 24-8-16, 12-4-8, and 9-3-6 are all 3:1:2 RATIOS) come closest to supplying nutrients in the ratio at which plants actually use them. By supplementing K with 0-0-3 Pro-Tekt, you can EFFECTIVELY reduce N applications & not worry about P or K deficiencies. There is more than enough P in 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers (plants use on average 6X more N than P) to prevent a deficiency of P, and the K is covered by the 0-0-3, which also provides silicon. Silicon (Si) is Pro-TeKt's most valuable asset. A high % of plants absorb additional Si when it is available. Plants that test higher in Si concentrations in shoots show a more rapid rate of increase in (dry) mass. Since an increase in mass is the true measure of growth, we can say the large % of plants that respond to increased availability of Si simply grow better. While how Si affects plant metabolism escapes complete understanding, we know it improves growth, increases metabolic rates, and increases the chlorophyll content of leaves. Very important is that it increases the tolerance to temperature extremes on both ends, as well as drought. Added Si in cell walls structurally protects plants against pathogens and insects by making cell walls stronger. One of the greater benefits of available Si is it can balance elemental nutrients in tissues because of its suppressive effects on Al, Mn and Na and because it acts to mediate the uptake of P, Mg, K, Fe, as well as the minors Cu and Zn. I'd like to mention that the effects of silicon on plants is documented scientifically, so my offering isn't anecdotal, even though it may seem that I'm promoting the use of Si as if it might be the magic potion guaranteed to turn the struggling grower into a plant magician, like so many other super elixirs promise. It won't do that, but it does strengthen plants in ways noted above, and as also noted adds versatility to your nutritional supplementation program if applied properly. Though I think I'm a pretty critical observer, I'll qualify the following observation as being anecdotal, even though it squares with science. I have noticed a difference in my plants since I started to use it about 10 years ago. The areas where I notice most improvement are, improved resistance to heat, obviously stronger & more upright foliage, and a considerable reduction in the incidence of both diseases and infestations. The nutritional supplementation path we travel is often obscured by a lot of anecdote and misconception, but it really isn't difficult at all to put a supplementation program in place that ensures your plants will get not only all the elements essential to normal growth, but also ensures they are supplied in a favorable ratio - more important than realized by most. Al...See MoreJennifer Aniston's Essay
Comments (38)I really like Jennifer Aniston as a celebrity. I think she has a lot of charm and charisma, seems smart and funny - lighthearted. I don't remember the details, but think she's shown a lot of class and restraint in public over some hard things that have gone on in her life. I've not seen her in too many things but Friends, where I really adored her character, thus her, I guess. Oh, and I recently watched Cake and like her in that. I don't follow celebrities at all except when I see them on Ellen or a late night talk show and I've always liked what I see of her. Like Mtn said, she has the genes that give her a look that seems to be popular, sought after. It appears to be natural and not obsessive, healthy and wholesome. Not a look that most girls would have to harm themselves to try to achieve. And she, as far as I know, has never sunk into a spiral of drugs and alcohol that would be bad role modeling for girls. I agree with everything she wrote in her essay, but would never have seen it or heard about it except for here. I'm sorry for her and every other person like her, who can't simply go to "work" and then leave her job behind. I can get plenty of "celebrity" by watching their work, where they have a choice about what they give and do. I think it's sick that the public rewards the lowlifes that invade every space (or try to) to fulfill the lust for private information about other people. Sick....See MoreThe Hypothetical KT Country
Comments (143)We still need an Agricultural Commissioner, don't we? And a Land Commissioner? We've got to have fresh fruits and vegetables! Also, fresh meat and poultry, and seafood, so we need farmers and ranchers, fisheries, etc. Our AC and LC would oversee all of that, right? And I can't think of the proper name for it right now, but someone to see that the cereals, grains, canned & frozen foods we import come from reliable sources and are safe and healthy. Oh, and a modern, up to date, state of the art grocery store, which will need someone to manage it. Rusty...See MoreKT Table check in!
Comments (79)"No offense to my American friends, but the border between Canada and the US is closed with some exceptions (trade for example); but I'll be happy to see it stay closed for however long it takes." I'll bet you and your fellow Canadians never expected that your southern border would be with a nation run like a Third World country, complete with a dictator as if it were a "banana republic". I don't blame Canada for keeping that border closed....See Moreroxanna
16 days agoroxanna
15 days agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
15 days agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
15 days agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
15 days agoroxanna
14 days ago
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