|
CATEGORY |
| Analysis |
|
Low |
Acceptable |
Optimum |
High |
Very High |
| pH (peat based medium) |
|
0-5.3 |
5.4-5.5 |
5.6-5.8 |
5.9-6.5 |
6.5+ |
| Soluble Salts |
mhos/cm* |
0-0.74 |
0.75-1.9 |
2.0-3.4 |
3.5-5.0 |
5.1+ |
| Nitrate-N (NO3-N) |
ppm |
0-39 |
40-99 |
100-199 |
200-299 |
300+ |
| Ammonium -N (NH4-N) |
ppm |
0-5 |
|
5-15 |
16-20 |
20+ |
| Phosphorus (P) |
ppm |
0-2 |
3-5 |
6-9 |
11-18 |
19+ |
| Potassium (K) |
ppm |
0-59 |
60-149 |
150-249 |
250-349 |
350+ |
| Calcium (Ca) |
ppm |
0-79 |
80-199 |
200+ |
|
|
| Magnesium (Mg) |
ppm |
0-29 |
30-69 |
70+ |
|
|
| Boron (B) |
ppm |
|
|
0.05-0.50 |
|
|
| Copper (Cu) |
ppm |
|
|
0.005-0.5 |
|
|
| Iron (Fe) |
ppm |
|
|
0.3-3.0 |
|
|
| Manganese (Mn) |
ppm |
|
|
0.02-3.0 |
|
|
| Zinc (Zn) |
ppm |
|
|
0.3-3.0 |
|
|
| Molybdenum (Mo) |
ppm |
|
|
0.01-0.10 |
|
|
| Aluminum (Al) |
ppm |
|
|
< 5 |
|
|
| Sodium (Na) |
ppm |
|
|
< 50 |
|
|
| Chloride (Cl) |
ppm |
|
|
< 9 |
9.1-20 |
20.1+ |
*mmhos/cm is interchangeable with mS/cm. Multiply mmhos/cm by 700 to convert to ppm.
| Nutrient |
% of Total Soluble Salt |
| Nitrate-N (NO3-N) |
8-10 |
| Ammonium-N (NH4-N) |
< 3 |
| Potassium (K) |
11-13 |
| Calcium (Ca) |
14-16 |
| Magnesium (Mg) |
4-6 |
| Sodium (Na) |
< 10 |
| Chloride (Cl) |
< 10 |
*While the above values are considered to be the most desirable, other levels in approximately the same proportions will likely permit good plant growth, as long as the total soluble salts are not too high. Faster growing plants will normally tolerate somewhat higher total soluble salt levels in the growing media. Higher total soluble salts are better tolerated by plants in a balanced nutrient situation.
| Crop |
pH |
EC mmhos/cm |
NO3-N (ppm) |
P (ppm) |
K (ppm) |
Ca (ppm) |
Mg (ppm) |
| Seedlings (Any) |
5.6-5.8 |
0.7-1.0 |
40-70 |
5-9 |
100-175 |
100-200 |
50-100 |
| Young potted plants |
5.6-5.8 |
1.0-2.0 |
50-90 |
6-10 |
100-175 |
100-200 |
50-100 |
| Potted plants (general) |
5.6-5.8 |
1.5-3.0 |
80-160 |
6-10 |
175-250 |
250-325 |
80-125 |
| Bedding plants |
5.6-5.8 |
2.0-3.5 |
100-200 |
6-10 |
150-250 |
200-400 |
70-140 |
| Foliage plants |
5.6-5.8 |
1.0-2.0 |
50-90 |
6-10 |
100-175 |
100-200 |
50-100 |
| Woody ornamentals |
5.6-5.8 |
1.0-1.5 |
80-100 |
8-12 |
20-40 |
20-40 |
15-20 |
| Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Gardenias, Camellias, Blue Hydrangeas |
5.0-5.5 |
0.5-0.8 |
40-50 |
4-6 |
10-20 |
10-20 |
7-10 |
| Roses, Mums, Snapdragons |
5.6-5.8 |
2.0-3.5 |
120-200 |
10-15 |
200-275 |
100-200 |
50-100 |
| Lettuce |
5.6-5.8 |
2.0-3.5 |
120-200 |
10-15 |
200-275 |
100-200 |
50-100 |
| Tomatoes |
5.6-5.8 |
2.0-3.5 |
120-200 |
10-15 |
200-275 |
100-200 |
50-100 |
|
COMPOSITION OF MEDIA MATERIAL |
|
50% Peat-50% Sand |
50% Peat-50% Bark |
100% Peat |
| Beginning pH |
Lbs sulfur/cu. yd. |
| 7.5 |
1.7 |
2.0 |
3.4 |
| 7.0 |
1.2 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
| 6.5 |
0.8 |
1.0 |
2.0 |
Note: Finely ground sulfur, as recommended above is slow acting. Substituting iron sulfate at the appropriate equivalent rate listed below is considered a moderately fast reaction, and aluminum sulfate at the appropriate equivalent rate is considered fast acting.
| Material |
Chemical Formula |
Percent Sulfur |
Lbs of material to Equal 100 lbs of Sulfur |
| Elemental Sulfur |
S |
90.0 |
110 |
| Sulfuric Acid |
H2SO4 |
32.0 |
306 |
| Sulfur Dioxide |
SO2 |
50.0 |
200 |
| Iron Sulfate |
FeSO4 |
11.5 |
869 |
| Aluminum Sulfate |
Al2(SO4)3 |
14.4 |
694 |
| Ammonium Sulfate |
(NH4)2SO4 |
23.7 |
422 |
|
COMPOSITION OF MEDIA MATERIAL |
|
50% Peat-50% Sand |
50% Peat-50% Bark |
100% Peat |
| Beginning pH |
Lbs. Dolomitic Lime/cubic yard |
| 5.0 |
1.7 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
| 4.5 |
3.7 |
5.6 |
7.4 |
| 4.0 |
5.7 |
7.9 |
11.4 |
| 3.5 |
7.8 |
10.5 |
15.5 |
Note: Additions of more than 10 lbs of dolomitic limestone yard3 often causes micronutrient deficiencies.
|
|
To Increase Test Level 10 ppm, Use the Following Rates of the Product Listed |
| Product |
% N |
Product Oz./bu |
N lbs/100 bu |
Product oz/yd3 |
N lb/100 yd3 |
Product oz/100 ft2 |
N/1000 ft2 |
| Potassium Nitrate |
13.0 |
0.12 |
0.10 |
2.30 |
1.87 |
4.60 |
0.37 |
| Calcium Nitrate |
15.0 |
0.10 |
0.09 |
2.00 |
1.88 |
4.00 |
0.38 |
| Ammonium Nitrate |
33.0 |
0.005 |
0.09 |
0.90 |
1.56 |
1.80 |
0.37 |
| Urea |
45.0 |
0.04 |
1.10 |
0.70 |
1.97 |
1.40 |
0.39 |
|
|
To Increase Test Level 2 ppm, Use the Following Rates of the Product Listed |
| Product |
% P2O5 |
Product Oz./bu |
P2O5 lbs/100 bu |
Product oz/yd3 |
P2O5 lb/100 yd3 |
Product oz/100 ft2 |
P2O5/1000 ft2 |
| Normal Superphosphate |
20.0 |
0.75 |
0.94 |
0.90 |
1.1 |
1.80 |
0.23 |
| Concentrated Superphosphate |
46.0 |
0.33 |
0.95 |
0.40 |
1.2 |
0.80 |
0.23 |
| Bone Meal |
25.0 |
0.60 |
0.94 |
0.75 |
1.2 |
1.50 |
0.23 |
|
|
To Increase Test Level 25 ppm, Use the Following Rates of the Product Listed |
| Product |
% K2O |
Product Oz./bu |
K2O lbs/100 bu |
Product oz/yd3 |
K2O lb/100 yd3 |
Product oz/100 ft2 |
K2O/1000 ft2 |
| Potassium Nitrate |
44.0 |
0.19 |
0.52 |
3.75 |
10.3 |
0.46 |
0.13 |
| Potassium Sulfate |
50.0 |
0.16 |
0.50 |
3.25 |
10.2 |
0.40 |
0.13 |
| 20-20-20 |
20.0 |
0.41 |
0.51 |
8.25 |
10.3 |
1.03 |
0.13 |
|
|
To Increase Test Level 25 ppm, Use the Following Rates of the Product Listed |
| Product |
% Ca |
Product Oz./bu |
Ca lbs/100 bu |
Product oz/yd3 |
Ca lb/100 yd3 |
Product oz/100 ft2 |
Ca/1000 ft2 |
| Calcitic Lime |
32.0 |
0.21 |
0.42 |
4.20 |
8.40 |
0.53 |
0.11 |
| Dolomitic Lime |
22.0 |
0.30 |
0.41 |
6.00 |
8.25 |
0.75 |
0.10 |
| Gypsum |
23.0 |
0.29 |
0.42 |
5.80 |
8.34 |
0.73 |
0.10 |
| Calcium Nitrate |
19.0 |
0.35 |
0.42 |
7.00 |
8.31 |
0.88 |
0.10 |
| Normal Superphosphate |
20.0 |
0.33 |
0.41 |
6.70 |
8.38 |
0.84 |
0.11 |
| Concentrated Superphosphate |
13.0 |
0.51 |
0.41 |
10.20 |
8.29 |
1.28 |
0.10 |
|
|
To Increase Test Level 25 ppm, Use the Following Rates of the Product Listed |
| Product |
% Mg |
Product Oz./bu |
Mg lbs/100 bu |
Product oz/yd3 |
Mg lb/100 yd3 |
Product oz/100 ft2 |
Mg/1000 ft2 |
| Epsom Salts |
11.0 |
0.61 |
0.42 |
12.22 |
8.40 |
1.54 |
0.11 |
| Dolomitic Lime |
10.0 |
0.66 |
0.41 |
13.20 |
8.25 |
1.65 |
0.10 |
| K-Mag |
11.0 |
0.61 |
0.42 |
12.13 |
8.34 |
1.53 |
0.10 |
| Magnesium Nitrate |
16.0 |
0.42 |
0.42 |
8.31 |
8.31 |
1.05 |
0.10 |
| Magnesium Chloride (flake) |
12.2 |
0.54 |
0.41 |
10.98 |
8.38 |
1.38 |
0.11 |
| Magnesium Chloride (solution) |
7.5 |
0.88 |
0.41 |
17.68 |
8.29 |
2.22 |
0.10 |
|
|
Bench Drench |
Container Drench |
|
| Nutrient Source* |
Analysis % |
Oz/100 ft2 |
g/100 ft2 |
Oz/100 gal |
g/100 gal |
Nutrient Rate (ppm) |
| Iron (Fe) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Ferrous Sulfate |
0.2 |
16.00 |
454 |
50 |
1418 |
750 |
| Boron (B) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Solubor |
20.0 |
0.28 |
7.8 |
0.55 |
15.6 |
8.3 |
| Sodium Tetraborate (Borax) |
11.0 |
0.50 |
14.2 |
1.0 |
28.4 |
8.3 |
| Boric Acid |
17.5 |
0.60 |
17.0 |
0.65 |
18.4 |
8.5 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Manganese Sulfate |
33.0 |
0.38 |
21.3 |
0.1 |
2.8 |
2.4 |
| Zinc (Zn) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Zinc Sulfate |
23.0 |
0.38 |
21.3 |
0.1 |
2.8 |
1.7 |
| Copper (Cu) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Copper Sulfate |
25.0 |
0.38 |
21.3 |
0.1 |
2.8 |
1.9 |
| Molybdenum (Mo)aa |
|
|
|
|
|
| Ammonium Molybdate |
54.0 |
Quantity too small for uniform application |
0.025 |
0.7 |
1.0 |
| Sodium Molybdate |
46.6 |
Quantity too small for uniform application |
0.029 |
0.8 |
1.0 |
*Where commercial chelates are used, follow label directions.
aaDissolve 1 oz. sodium or ammonium molybdate in 40 fl. oz. of water. Use 1 fl. oz. of this stock solution in 100 gal. of final strength fertilizer solution.
| Compound |
Analysis |
Quantity to use per cubic yard |
| Iron Chelate |
6.0% Fe |
1 oz. |
| Manganous Sulfate |
26.0% Mn |
1 oz. |
| Copper Sulfate |
25.0% Cu |
0.3 oz. |
| Zinc Sulfate |
36.0% Zn |
0.2 oz. |
| Sodium Borate (Borax) |
11.0% B |
0.1 oz. |
| Sodium Molybdate |
39.0% Mo |
0.03 oz. |
Source: Greenhouse Growth Media: Testing and Nutrition Guidelines, Bulletin E1736 by Darryl D Warncke and Dean M. Krauskopg, Michigan State University
