From

Location

Message

Date Posted

MD

I read in the chat transcript that Stelts switches to organic later in the season. What is the reasoning behind this?

4/7/2002 8:23:29 AM

Greencastle, PA

Jon,
I'm not sure why he does this, but a good reason would be to avoid splitting. An organic fertilizer provides slow release nutrients, while a chemical fertilizer gives a burst of nutrients, causing a surge of growth. if fertilizer is used weekly you will get a surge in growthy, then decreased growth, then a surge in growth, etc. which may cause the pumpkin to split. Organic fertilizers provide slow release nutrients, so the growth is slow and steady. Also, over use of chemical fertilizers may cause heavy metal build ups.
Tom

4/8/2002 3:08:10 PM

walton n.y.

farmer tom you've been doing your homework a good job on that explanation

4/8/2002 5:32:22 PM

Deer Park WA

Yes a very good job farmer tom.......

4/9/2002 12:54:01 AM

Connecticut, USA

They also have synthetic slow release fertilizer. For example, Osmocote.

4/9/2002 7:34:20 AM

Western Pa.

Just a note,

I've been told that Osmocote is triggered to release by heat, so be careful when adding additional fertilizer during a hot spell, or you may be overdoing it.
kilr

4/9/2002 9:22:56 AM

No Place Special

What would be an organic fertilizer, cow stuff, leaves, compost and such? Any others?

thanks, mike

4/9/2002 2:21:00 PM

South Hill, Virginia

fish, seaweed, kelp, bone meal, dried blood....

4/9/2002 2:40:08 PM

Greencastle, PA

Mike,
Anything organic. Svrichb gave some very good examples. Another one is greensand or other rock powders. Compost or manure tea is also a good fertilizer, and organic. Urea is organic too, and highly water soluble. The thing that's great about organic fertilizers is that they can be easily mixed with each other and chemical fertilizers.
Tom

4/10/2002 11:18:58 PM