On-going photo essay "25 years of gardening" is in KT, if interested
roxanna
16 days ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (13)
roxanna
16 days agolast modified: 16 days agoRelated Discussions
Pro-TeKt question
Comments (11)Woody - there seems to be some sort of forgone conclusion that you should stop applications of N as fall approaches. You'll find mostly anecdotal evidence suggesting this as appropriate, but little, if any, scientific. In some circles convention dictates we only fertilize while plants are in actively growing, or from bud break - late summer. I often see it contended that late (fall) feeding of N is sure to 'force' new growth and the new growth will be killed by frost. But first, all tender new growth is killed by frost. Second, and probably more importantly, please consider that bud set occurs in mid-late summer, and while it takes N to fuel new growth, N plays no role in the initiation of bud-break. For that stimulus, look solely to photo-period. The acquisition of resistance to chill is related to both photo-period and decreasing temperatures and is actually improved with regular balanced N supplementation, so there is no reason not to continue supplementing N through fall and into early winter. Let your guide be soil temperatures. As long as soil temps are >55* plants will assimilate and store not only P & K, but N as well. This (tendency to store N) plays a pivotal role in fueling new growth in spring when soil temperatures are reduced and assimilation of N is depressed. BTW - please do not fertilize with organic sources of N like various meals, fish/seaweed emulsions, or urea when soils are cooler than 55* (ammonium toxicity). About Pro-TeKt: On its face it looks primarily like a potassium (K) supplement, but the K it contains mostly adds a degree of versatility to your fertilizer program if you're already supplying nutrients in an appropriate ratio. Remember that supplying an excess of any single nutrient can be as bad as a deficiency, so it's a valuable asset to have a pretty good idea of what you're supplying and when your plants will get it. 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers (ratios are different than NPK %s. 24-8-16, 12-4-8, and 9-3-6 are all 3:1:2 RATIOS) come closest to supplying nutrients in the ratio at which plants actually use them. By supplementing K with 0-0-3 Pro-Tekt, you can EFFECTIVELY reduce N applications & not worry about P or K deficiencies. There is more than enough P in 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers (plants use on average 6X more N than P) to prevent a deficiency of P, and the K is covered by the 0-0-3, which also provides silicon. Silicon (Si) is Pro-TeKt's most valuable asset. A high % of plants absorb additional Si when it is available. Plants that test higher in Si concentrations in shoots show a more rapid rate of increase in (dry) mass. Since an increase in mass is the true measure of growth, we can say the large % of plants that respond to increased availability of Si simply grow better. While how Si affects plant metabolism escapes complete understanding, we know it improves growth, increases metabolic rates, and increases the chlorophyll content of leaves. Very important is that it increases the tolerance to temperature extremes on both ends, as well as drought. Added Si in cell walls structurally protects plants against pathogens and insects by making cell walls stronger. One of the greater benefits of available Si is it can balance elemental nutrients in tissues because of its suppressive effects on Al, Mn and Na and because it acts to mediate the uptake of P, Mg, K, Fe, as well as the minors Cu and Zn. I'd like to mention that the effects of silicon on plants is documented scientifically, so my offering isn't anecdotal, even though it may seem that I'm promoting the use of Si as if it might be the magic potion guaranteed to turn the struggling grower into a plant magician, like so many other super elixirs promise. It won't do that, but it does strengthen plants in ways noted above, and as also noted adds versatility to your nutritional supplementation program if applied properly. Though I think I'm a pretty critical observer, I'll qualify the following observation as being anecdotal, even though it squares with science. I have noticed a difference in my plants since I started to use it about 10 years ago. The areas where I notice most improvement are, improved resistance to heat, obviously stronger & more upright foliage, and a considerable reduction in the incidence of both diseases and infestations. The nutritional supplementation path we travel is often obscured by a lot of anecdote and misconception, but it really isn't difficult at all to put a supplementation program in place that ensures your plants will get not only all the elements essential to normal growth, but also ensures they are supplied in a favorable ratio - more important than realized by most. Al...See MoreAny watercolor artists at the KT?
Comments (38)Jemdandy, funny you should mention Donna Dewberry. The woman is practically a conglomerate! She's really done well with her "One-Stroke" technique. I have some of her brushes and a couple of her books, but never put in the time necessary to master it. I'm a little ambivalent about the look; that could be part of it. I watched her in action for the first time the other night on TV and was impressed, though. Surprised to see her sit down at the sewing machine after painting. I didn't know she was a quilter. Susan, I'd be a quilter if I hadn't discovered rug hooking. Once I did, I gave up embroidery, needlepoint, and everything else. :-) I've done some enamel painting on wine glasses and martini glasses and assorted glass dishes, etc. Would eventually like to do more decorative painting with acrylics. GW has a nice Decorative Painting forum. As for watercolors, I'm so well-equipped that I'll feel consumed with guilt if I don't give it a good try. I've been using AC Moore and Michael's coupons to acquire brushes, paints, and paper, plus a professional illustrator recently gave me watercolor brushes and some fabulous French papers. I'm saving the latter until I know what I'm doing. I found some decent 140-lb. watercolor paper at Ollie's Bargains--cheap because it's slightly bent. It'll be perfect for my practice strokes. This thread has me psyched! It's exciting to see the art and read the encouraging posts. And the Wet Canvas site threatens to completely undermine my already shaky housekeeping....See MoreWhy do you click at the KT?
Comments (37)Question of the Day and other regular items (but I find that I'm not strongly attracted to, "I'll show you mine ...") - possibly partly because I'm on dial-up, too. I, too, am nosey and interested in a variety of subjects. I aso like to check topics of interest, and some where people are looking for ideas, advice, support, empathy, etc. I like to check what a number of my favourite people are talking about. I too find that a number of situations that I might have made a quick decision to reject turn out to be interesting, informative, to give me a good laugh, or some other things that make me click on some that I might be inclined to bypass, as I'm afraid that I may miss something interesting. I've felt that I have a tendency to be a thread killer, for I find that my post often seems to be the final one. I like to go back till I find subjects outlined in pink, indicating that I've looked at them before ... and no new posts since, to change them to blue. I also like to go back quite a few pages, on occasion. I sometimes feel that a topic there deserves a review. I thank many of you for your intelligence, concern for people and animals, plus people in other places, circumstances, etc., for the fun that you bring to the forum, and for sharing of yourselves here. And I appreciate that for many of you, we can have a disagreement at times without being disagreeable ... and often find that there are a number of aspects of a given situation where we do have quite a bit of agreement. Good wishes for one of the greatest New Years that you've ever seen! And some of us have seen quite a few. ole joyful P.S. Sometimes I make smart-ass comments, or play with peoples' names, etc. but it's meant in fun. If I have hurt anyone's feelings or angered them/you, I hope that you'll let me know, for I would like to get the issue straightened out ... I feel that we need to build relationships and understanding, not further alienation than there is in the world already. o j...See MoreKT Get together in Oklahoma
Comments (16)Joann, in Iowa, at Sandy's, we had a husband upset, cause there was no pool at the hotel. Thus, we bought that pool in that picture, and sat around it, with our feet in it. Linda and I were the only ones brave enough to don swim suits, and plop in to the pool nestea plunge style. It was a hoot. Yes, of course, that's me. :) Moni...See Moreroxanna
16 days agoroxanna
15 days agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
15 days agoprairiemoon2 z6b MA
15 days agodiggerdee zone 6 CT
15 days agoroxanna
14 days ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Try California Wild Grape for Interest All Year
Sure, it’s stunning in fall. But the spring buds, summer grapes and gnarled winter vines are gorgeous too
Full StoryMOST POPULARThe 25 Most Popular Photos Added to Houzz in 2013
See the newly uploaded images of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and more that Houzz users really fell for this year
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNTrending Now: 25 Kitchen Photos Houzzers Can’t Get Enough Of
Use the kitchens that have been added to the most ideabooks in the last few months to inspire your dream project
Full StoryNATIVE PLANTS5 Ways to Keep Your Native Plant Garden Looking Good All Year
It’s all about planning ahead, using sustainable practices and accepting plants as living organisms
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESBest Barks and Berries for Winter Interest
Brighten winter gardens with trees and shrubs chosen for colorful berries and beautiful branches
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES6 Rockin’ Red Plants for Winter Gardens
Use the bright berries or branches of these cold-climate favorites for outdoor garden interest or container arrangements anywhere
Full StoryHOUZZ CALLShow Us Your Cottage Garden!
How’s your cottage garden coming along? Please share your photos and details with the Houzz community
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better
You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNThe 10 Most Popular Kitchen Photos of 2016
Fall in love with classic styles and materials all over again — and see what’s cooking for the new year
Full StoryPLANTING IDEASGreat Garden Combo: 9 Plants for an Intriguing Entrance
Layer trees, flowers and shrubs around an archway to create the feeling of a year-round doorway to adventure
Full Story
diggerdee zone 6 CT