Knowing container pH and soluble salts gives peace of mind
Containers: I hope you have been checking the pH and soluble salts of a few plants every 2 weeks or so, for the satisfaction of knowing that things are right. Or for a heads up of a beginning problem; before symptoms can be detected; so that corrective action can be taken to avoid a reduction in growth.
The Myron L meter reads the pH and soluble salts of container leachate very quickly, accurately and conveniently.
During a dry period in the next few months, consider having an irrigation water suitability test run to compare against a test run during a wet period (spring). It is good to do every few years to obtain base line data.
Do you save your controlled fertilizer bags for one year? Handy if you think the fertilizer caused problems. At least cut out all of the lot numbers and store them in one bag.
Avoid using Broadstar, OH-2 and Rout during any flush of growth. Several producers encountered massive foliage burn this spring in the nearest row to the applicator. Wet foliage will complicate matters even more.
Use identical food cans (straight sided) or several rain gauges to determine the rate and uniformity of irrigation spray heads.
Do not cut corners on what has proven to be tried and true.
Never evaluate another container medium (substrate) under the same water management as everything else is on. A different medium will require more or less moisture. A different medium will not be able to live up to it?s potential when managed like the old.
? With as many red maples as we raise, it has been surprising that we have enough leafhoppers this year to also attack a few zelkovas.
Pests to control or scout for: bagworms, powdery mildew on dogwood and lilac, white peach tree scale on ash and mulberry, southern blight on Malus, Japanese beetles, white fringe beetle adults resting under large ragweeds, leafhoppers on red maple and zelkova.
Discus calibrations have not started out well. Half of the pumps could not generate enough water. Pressure gauges were also wore out. Pressure regulator valves are required to adjust the pressure. I can not calibrate a sprayer with a pesticide in the tank.
Please let me know if I need to check yours. TDA wants them checked annually. Let me know if I do not need to check yours, if I checked it last year. Wish to know what I?m up against.