Ramsey County

January 9, 2006

Howdy!!!!
Here we are, into the New Year and we still have wonderful weather.  No matter what might happen in the future, we have shortened our winter season.  I am looking forward to the sun one day.  I have not been counting the sunless days but it has been numerous.  This past weekend I made a basketball game at the Ramsey County basketball tournament and enjoyed visiting with old and new friends.  It is always great fun to watch our old home town participate in an activity.  I have not yet made a Devils Lake game but am looking forward to watching the girls and boys play.  I also have a nephew playing hockey and, I tell you, that is sure one busy young man.  I sometimes wonder if they sleep.  I also heard our hockey team cleaned up in the Missouri river games, Great Job neighbor Al!!!!! 

The Roundup was a great success this past week.  I am guessing something about 800-850 attended the 2 day event.  Terry Gregorie did a fabulous job, again, of organizing this event along with Marietta and Cindy for their great help keeping us happy with good food.  I would also commend my fellow colleagues for their great help and presentations.  GREAT JOB BY EVERYONE.  Terry told us this was the 26^th Roundup.

FEEDING YOUR PLANTS
The correct plant food applied properly can mean the difference between your plants merely surviving and thriving.  Before fertilizing, remember that more house plants suffer from an excess amount of plant food than from a lack of it.

When the lower leaves of your plants turn yellow and fall off as new leaves are being produced, plant food may be needed.  Other symptoms of a lack of fertilizer may include pale foliage, few flowers and small new leaves.

The easiest way to apply plant food is in the liquid form.  Make sure to read the label carefully and follow directions.  Fertilizers are sold under a variety of trade names and the formulas and instructions for dilution are different.  Do not assume that if a recommended amount is good, twice that amount is better.  You may damage or kill your plants.  Never apply fertilizer (in either dry or liquid form) to a dry soil, as root injury may result.  When applying liquid plant food, use enough solution to wet the soil mass.

Slow release dry fertilizer mixed in the potting soil or applied to the soil surface is satisfactory.  They provide a steady flow of nutrients for an extended time.

A newly purchased plant should not need fertilizer for the first three months in your home.  Most plants benefit from regular feeding during active growing periods such as spring, summer, and fall.  Feeding should be decreased during winter months when growth has decreased.  Do not fertilize resting or dormant plants.

Flowering plants require extra fertilizer, applied in small amounts, when buds are forming and before blooming.  Slow growing plants such as cacti and bromeliads thrive with very little plant food.

Over fertilization can cause a slowdown of plant growth, stunted plants and burned or dried leaf margins or tips.  If your plant wilts or suddenly collapses and the soil is moist, over fertilization of the plant may be the cause.

If you discover that you have over-fertilized, you can reduce injury to your plants by leaching out part of the dissolved fertilizer by ‘rinsing’ the soil with clear water.  To do this, you must have a well-drained soil in a container with a hole in the bottom.  Place the pot in a sink and water liberally three to four times at half hour intervals, allowing the water to flush out the dissolved fertilizer and other accumulated salts.  Leaching (rinsing) the soil of most house plants every three months is a good practice whether over fertilization is involved or not.

Don’t expect plant food to cure all your plant problems.  Feeding will not help a plant that is suffering from poor drainage, insect infestation, disease or over watering.

Calendar!!!
Wild world of Weeds                              Jan. 24            Fargo, Ramada Plaza Suite
Beginning Grower Hort. Workshop    Jan. 31-Feb. 1  St. Cloud Minn., Radison Hotel
Man Dak Zero Till Workshop              Feb. 9-10         Bismarck, Ramkota Hotel
Advanced Crop Advisors                     Feb. 23-24        Fargo, Holiday Inn

524 4th Ave NE #5, 2nd Floor Ramsey County Courthouse
Devils Lake  ND  58301
701-662-7027
email - ramsey@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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