Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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April 24, 2008 | #1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX Zone 8b
Posts: 531
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Today’s Topic: Fish Emulsion
Bought a gal today and just wondering how you guys disperse it. By hand, spray.
Also if I dilute it by half can I use it every time I water instead of full strength every 3 weeks. Thanks |
April 24, 2008 | #2 | |
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a
Posts: 21,169
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Quote:
Fish and seaweed emulsions are used as a foliar feed but they aren't very high in NPK so many folks use supplemental fertilizer. What they do have are many mironutrients that conventional granular fertiliers don't have. I use a foliar feed once when fruits are setting, and a second time late in the season when I can't to the base of the plants.
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Carolyn |
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April 24, 2008 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX Zone 8b
Posts: 531
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The label says 5-1-1 and 2 tablespoons per gallon per 25 sq ft. I guess I will spray. Thanks Carolyn
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April 24, 2008 | #4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Farmington, Nm
Posts: 450
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Robin,
I use it as a foliar spray and a root drench. I use about a tablespoon to a gallon for foliar spray and mix that with a tablespoon of molasses, a tablespoon of Seaweed and a tablespoon of 5% acid apple cider vinegar. You can spray it all alone if you don't have the other ingredients but I love that mix. For a root drench I mix full strength and water in. I use a two gallon watering can and it covers 4 plants; so about 1/2 gallon per plant at key stages. I love fish emulsion. My wife hates it when I use it because she says it stinks. I think it does not smell to bad and I like seeing the insects fleeing from it (an added benefit is it is an oil in emulsion and soft bodied insects such as aphids and mites tend to be damaged by it, add a little molasses and you provide a quick population burst in bacteria that will attack the weakened soft bodied insects..that's the theory anyway..) Enjoy the fish emulsion and the other natural fertilizers and amendments available. This stuff will also do nothing to harm your soil, in fact you will be aiding things along.
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April 24, 2008 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX Zone 8b
Posts: 531
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Thanks Bryan, That’s what I wanted to hear. Sounds like a good recipe to me. Sounds like we are missing the beer some how but one good thing my cat really likes me now.
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April 25, 2008 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Farmington, Nm
Posts: 450
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I left out the beer?
I usually have a beer in my hand as I foliar spray in the late afternoon. The beer is for me. Spraying is a relaxing activity for me. 8)
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April 25, 2008 | #7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Danbury, CT
Posts: 492
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bryanccfshr, what is the vinegar for in your recipe? Just curious.
Thanks, Jen |
April 25, 2008 | #8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Farmington, Nm
Posts: 450
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Vinegar is an acidifier. I use apple cider for the extra nutrients. In central Texas our water is alkaline coming from limestone aquifers. when using sprayers and drip systems vinegar is a good idea to keep calcium carbonate precipitates from clogging nozzles and emitters.
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April 25, 2008 | #9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Abilene, TX zone 7
Posts: 1,478
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I use the same formula as Bryan. It works great on all growing things. I use it on flowers, tomatoes, beans, squash really loves it, cowpeas, etc.
One thing I have done, is but fish and seaweed in separate containers. I mix the fish in with this about every 2-3 weeks, whatever the instructions say, and every week I mix with the molasses, compost tea that I make, apple cider vinegar (organic) and seaweed and spray it. |
April 25, 2008 | #10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Farmington, Nm
Posts: 450
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More on Apple cider vineger
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