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Location

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Bowdon, GA

My spring soil test says balance and Ph are very good for melons, however the PPMs are lower in some areas than I usually have. I would like Ca, Mg, and K higher. Without raising ph higher, gypsum, mag sulfate, and potassium sulfate get me there still in balance. However this would push sulfur levels way up. I think if my calculations are right the end result would be sulfur around 600 ppm. Is that too high? Any other suggestions to raise CA,Mg,K without raising ph?

4/6/2016 8:37:26 PM

N.c.

600 ppm S did not seem to bother my pumpkin and bushel gourd plants in sandy loam.

4/7/2016 9:41:14 AM

aurora, IL

Adding gypsum will raise Ca and maybe Mg, but not pH.

4/7/2016 1:55:11 PM

Partlow,Va

don't worry about the sulfer levels here in the east H2O is naturally acidic and will do the job

4/7/2016 10:44:51 PM

Bowdon, GA

I have a clay loam soil so I'm not sure how fast the sulfur will leach. I know some people's sulfur is high but I was concerned at high levels it might effect beneficial fungi. Sulfur is used as a fungicide wasn't sure what happens at high levels. My ph is where I want it so I'm trying to avoid lime. Gypsum, mag sulfate, and potassium sulfate won't raise ph but I would be triple dosing the sulfur. Thanks for the answers.

4/7/2016 11:11:18 PM

N.c.

Hey Holloway! I do not know the answer to your question, but from what I been able to find so far 20 ppm S might be close to ideal for mycorrhizal fungi. So just speculating here....600 ppm S is probably way too much. Last year I tried a few of the products from NPK Industries Raw Soluble line of plant nutrients. I was really impressed and I will be using a lot more of their products this year.

4/8/2016 8:21:56 AM

Bowdon, GA

Thanks Condo, I think I can get a little higher on ph after seeing some other melon growers did well at those levels so I will try to get as close as I can with lime and finish it off with sulfates.

4/8/2016 9:34:21 AM

East Jordan, MI

600 ppm (or more) of sulfur has never hurt us here. The plants need and use a lot of sulfur.

4/8/2016 5:34:22 PM

Bowdon, GA

Thanks Cecil

4/12/2016 10:08:13 PM