[NAFEX] soil testing equipment
David Oliver
david.thefields at gmail.com
Fri May 8 07:55:25 EDT 2009
Dennis,
Thanks for your reply. In this project, the trees are permanently in
25 gal containers. As a means of dealing with fluctuating winter
temperatures of Mid-Atlantic states that most stone fruit cannot
tolerate, the trees are moved from outside into temperature controlled
dormant storage sometime in December. They are moved into greenhouse
at bloom. Following last frost, the trees are moved back outside
completing the cycle.
The process is challenging. But there have been successes with sweet
cherry, pluots, and apricots using this method. Peaches (surprisingly)
and nectarines have posed more problems. (My apple orchard is
conventional and outside.) Tree structure (pruning), proper nutrition,
and moisture control are critical to control root disease. Disease in
the greenhouse (aphids and spider mites) has not been a serious
problem and is controlled with insecticidal soaps.
I do have a media pile composed of pH adjusted 75% pine bark, 25%
sand. Soil can be properly prepared on initiating a tree. However,
maintaining nutrition as the seasons pass requires both visual
observation of the tree and some measure of the nutrient situation at
each point int time. At several tens of dollars per test, lab testing
is not economically feasible except perhaps in certain critical cases.
On site testing with a "kit" is more appropriate. The problem with
kits, e.g.
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_3081593
is small sample size. However, by taking a significant set of samples
from the container, carefully homogenizing them in a blender
thoroughly and then taking the final sample for the reagents from this
homogeneous blend, I believe on-site kits can be useful for the basics
of pH, K, P, and N. (though I have yet to prove this). That's all I
can tell you at this point. I was hoping those on this list would know
far more about testing than I do. Most apparently do not. You do for a
procedure required for your operation and I thank you for it. What you
are doing seems quite appropriate. My situation is somewhat different.
David Oliver
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 7 May 2009 16:05:15 -0500
> From: <dmnorton at royaloakfarmorchard.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAFEX] soil testing equipment
>
> David,
>
> We have always used A & L Great Lakes Labs for our soil tests. We
> take the
> samples ourselves and get results in a few days via their web site
> documents
> service with any recommendations for amendments. We also do leaf
> testing at
> the same time and those results we submit to Wilbur-Ellis for foliar
> spray
> recommendations if out trees show uptake issues. We have 120 acres
> to test,
> so this works best for us. Do you keep your dwarf trees in the
> containers
> 100% of the time? Do you have a location where you could build a
> topsoil
> holding block (a pile of top soil)? When we were using our greenhouse
> regularly, we used a topsoil pile that we had tested once each
> spring and
> amended the pile according to the soils test. We had it enclosed on
> three
> sides to keep it from getting contaminated just like a composting
> pile. In
> fact, we always added some compost to it throughout the year and
> tested it
> prior to use. One pile, one test, than many 10 gallon containers
> with the
> same soil mix. Just a thought!
>
> Dennis Norton
> Royal Oak Farm Orchard
> Office (815) 648-4467
> Mobile (815) 228-2174
> Fax (609) 228-2174
> http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
> http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
> http://www.revivalhymn.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Oliver" <david.thefields at gmail.com>
> To: <nafex at lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 1:41 PM
> Subject: [NAFEX] soil testing equipment
>
>
>> I'd be grateful to list members who routinely test their soil to
>> describe
>> the tests they make and whether they analyze samples themselves or
>> send
>> samples to a testing lab. Basics are pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, and then
>> Fe, Zn,
>> Mn, soluble salts, nitrates, I'm growing dwarf trees in large
>> containers so routine testing is required as there is little
>> latitude for
>> error in a container. This suggests having a small lab for one's own
>> testing might be the most cost effective. Any suggestions for
>> equipment,
>> suppliers, and costs including the outside lab option would be
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> David Oliver
>>
>>
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