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Floriculture - Sending Samples
and Testing Your Own Samples
Testing
Your Own Media (Using
pH and EC pens, Using Pour-Thru Method)
Helpful Factsheets
Greenhouse Media Submittal Form
Commercial
Floriculture Soil Test Report
Interpreting
the Results of Greenhouse Soil Tests
Index
of Factsheets for
several factsheets on Plant Nutrition in the General
Sending a Soil Sample to the University of Massachusetts
Soil Testing Lab
A soil test can aid in the diagnosis of plant problems and in quality
plant production. To have your growing medium analyzed, take several samples
of soil at root depth from several pots, or from several areas of a bed
(cut flowers) and mix it together in a clean container. Take about one
cup of soil mixture dried at room temperature. Put the dry soil in a sandwich
size zip-type bag and close it tightly. Identify each sample on the outside
of the bag for your use. Complete and attach the "Greenhouse Media Submittal Form" with the following information:
- Name, address and phone number
- Is the sample from a newly-prepared mix or from a mix where a crop
is currently being grown?
- Crop being grown, and crop age or development
- Is the sample a soilless mix? If so, what is the commercial brand?
- Does the sample have field soil in it?
- What fertilizer is in use, and what is the rate and frequency of application?
- Is this a routine sample to determine nutrient status or is it for
a problem diagnosis?
Send soil samples,
with a check made payable to the University of Massachusetts, to:
Soil Testing Lab, West Experiment Station,
North Pleasant St., UMass, Amherst, MA 01003
Tel.(413)545-2311.
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Options for Commercial Flower Growers
Soilless Media Test
$10.00 Includes pH and lime requirement, levels of available plant
nutrients, soluble salts, and micronutrients. Recommendations are written
on the report by Dr. Doug Cox and mailed to you.
pH Test
$4.00
Soluble Salts Test
$3.00
pH and soluble salts tests are the same performed as part of the soilless
media test.
Standard Soil Test for (Outdoor) Field Grown Crops
$9.00 Includes pH, levels of available plant nutrients and several
micronutrients.
$13.00 Standard Soil Test and organic matter.
Information to Test Your
Own Media
Using pH
and EC Pens to Monitor Plant Nutrition
Using
the Pour Thru Method North
Carolina State University
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