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| While I was doing some research as to the nutrient preferences for cabbage family plants, I found out they prefer a little bit of boron in the soil.
Does anybody know where I can find this in a powdered form where it's used for gardening? If I can't find it by itself in a pure form (that is just essentially boron) does anybody know what provides a good source of boron? (such as bloodmeal, bonemeal, etc.) |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by piedmontnc 7b-8 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 8, 11 at 16:23
| Borax. |
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| A word of warning when adding boron. There's a fine line between an optimal amount and the amount needed to kill pretty much all plants. I would recommend getting a soil test and determining how much to use. |
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| Also, I believe it stays in the soil for a long, long time. I wouldn't add it without confirming the need and amount with a soil analysis. Karen |
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| Those commercial liquid fertilizers should have one of those formulated product i think. |
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| Many municipal water sources (it's a regional thing, of course) contain sufficient boron to satisfy plant nutritional requirements for that element. Also consider the heavier your soil, the less likely it is you need to add boron. It would probably be best to have your soil tested to determine how much boron you have in your soil before you make a move since, as mentioned above, toxicity is really easy to achieve. The best analysis to determine boron sufficiency is to find a lab that will run it in saturation extract. Fully sufficient, even for plants that need a little more boron than most, is around 0.14 ppm in saturation extract. |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Wed, Feb 9, 11 at 13:06
| Why do you think you need to add boron? Have you had a professional soil test? What are your current existing levels? Boron is one of those nutrients where the home gardener needs to be very careful about manipulating -- there is a very fine line between a boron deficiency and toxicity. ALL plants need boron but in minute amounts -- this is why it is commonly termed a "trace" mineral. I wouldn't recommend doing anything about altering boron levels unless you can verify it is deficient in your soils. And I'd be extremely careful in amending to increase boron as the application rate is very low - a mere ounce per 1000sf. FWIW, maintaining adequate levels of organic matter in your soils by mulching with or incorporating compost or composted manures is likely the most efficient method for home gardeners to achieve and maintain an adequate level of boron without getting carried away. Boron tends to be most deficient in soils that lack sufficient organic matter. |
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| Before you do anything about adding amendments to vegetables, do some research into the chemical you are being advised to add. Also, do read some material on "20MuleTeamBorax"...the laundry additive which can be used as a herbicide against "Creeping Charlie". But, be forewarned, its dangerous to soil and it remains in the soil for a long time. Me, I would suggesst you find another alternative to adding the chemical alone and find a fertilizer that contains trace elements including 'boron'. |
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| When you say "Cabbage family plants" do you mean Cole Crop Family Brassicaceue or the Brassice oleracea,Capitata Group only? If you use "Azomite" you will get trace of boron & 59 other elements. You should put out amendments before planting Brassicaceue plants, because they are heavy feeders. I always put out a little lime pellets to bring the soil up to6.0 or so, Because S.C. soil is acidly. http://azomite.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Ite mid=11 |
Here is a link that might be useful: Azomite
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