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coolrobby2003
10-07-2008, 06:17 PM
I am about to test my Praying Hands Banana plant soil!
Tests to be done.
1. pH
2. K-potash
3. P-phosphorus
4. N-nitrogen

And i am looking for a few #'s of what range the 4 main catagories should be in from some of you EXPERTS!
TNX AGAIN
ROBB
(see pics on my site coolrobby2003)

Chironex
12-22-2008, 04:59 PM
Send a PM to Richard.

Richard
12-23-2008, 01:46 AM
I am about to test my Praying Hands Banana plant soil!
Tests to be done.
1. pH
2. K-potash
3. P-phosphorus
4. N-nitrogen
And i am looking for a few #'s of what range the 4 main catagories should be in ...


pH. Anywhere between 6.1 and 6.8 is fine. Be sure to check the pH of your water -- in the long run it can dominate the pH of your soil.
K (potash). Quantities will diminish as the plant intakes the mineral over a period of one to 3 months. For a soil volume of 18 cu.ft. (3' x 3' wide x 2' deep) a monthly average of 0.024% is about right; i.e., 0.15 lb of K per month per 630 lbs of soil.
P (phosphorus). In the soil, P rarely moves anywhere and is not significantly absorbed by the plant. However, it is a catalyst for many things, especially when in contact with roots. For this reason, P is mixed in soils prior to planting. A concentration of 0.001% to 0.010% is reasonable.
N (nitrogen). The majority of it wll leave the soil within 3 weeks regardless of whether it is used by the plant or not. A starting concentration of 0.016% is good.


Personally, I would make sure the soil is loamy and the pH is in the correct range. Then I would start feeding the plants a 20-5-30 fertilizer on a monthly basis or via continuous feeding (1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water). See item #4 on this list: PTP_2008_12_Fertilize_II (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/column/PTP_2008_12_Fertilize_II.htm)

Chironex
12-23-2008, 03:23 AM
Told ya!

Lagniappe
12-23-2008, 11:00 AM
What Richard said about the Ph of your water is VERY important,especially for container plants. I sold my R.O. units last year and started using tap water for my containerized palms and bananas. All was fine for a few months then they all began to yellow up and die. I tested the parameters of the water to find a Ph of 8.6 and EC of 1400 microseimens . I thought my tests were off and contacted the water company. They verified my findings and informed me of our extreme sodium concentrations. I've been using rain water for a lil while now and the plants are making a comeback. It was too late for some.
If you have very screwy water a reverse osmosis unit can't be beat(but rain is free).