How to Manage Potassium

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

I thought I had low K here for a long time. But thanks to AEA and a Plant Sap Analysis test, I found it was Calcium limiting my farm. We have heavy clay soils here. Everything John is talking about is right on point! If it weren't for John and AEA I would still be struggling to understand my nutrient deficiency issues. I do use HoloK as fruit filling starts here on my tomatoes and it really helps when my tomatoes are loaded with large fruits and setting new fruits and flowers. This year, armed with better knowledge, I expect even better results! Thanks AEA!

[@Horse237]

Thanks. I am getting an education here. I just took a look at a list of 35 foods high in K. Good ideas for composting and vermicomposting. If I ever get a place I will be making lots of worm bins on Day One.

[@FreedomFox1]

We’ve been able to get the CEC of our sandy soil above 12, through compost and biology, so presumably we have decent humus levels. At that point, does our soil start acting like the clay soil? Available phosphorus has risen dramatically(modified Morgan) but potassium remains low on soil tests.

[@JohnKempfVisionBuilder]

I wrote a blog post that references how potassium reports on soil analysis can be very inaccurate. johnkempf.com/the-ineffectiveness-of-potassium-chloride-as-a-fertilizer/

[@paulbraga4460]

check out Richard Mulvaney interview/presentation with John Kempf on potassium - you'll be presantly surprised. besides, compost will usually raise potassium...blessings

[@pilsplease7561]

Something I would like answered is how you would handle applying potassium sulfate in granular form to a vineyard that is extremely deficient in potassium in a dry climate, with limited rainfall and warm soil temps with sandy soil prone to heavy leaching. Coastal California.

[@ashwinpatel4537]

John can pls guide best method of application of SOP spraying or soil application.

[@JohnKempfVisionBuilder]

Depends on the quantity needed, we usually apply to soil. Only through fertigation or foliar if we need immediate response and didnt get it on before.

[@granny933]

Can you elaborate on why MOP is worse than KTS? In my experience KTS can lead to MUCH more crop phytotoxicity than MOP.

[@JohnKempfVisionBuilder]

The comparison should be between potassium chloride and potassium sulfate, not potassium thiosulfate.

[@pilsplease7561]

Potassium sulfate is better because it is easier for plants to uptake and doesnt have a effect on soil biology and doesnt burn sensitive plants. Potassium Thiosulfate is good for injecting into drip systems for wine grapes in deficiency situations

[@caroline61804]

Potassium sulfate. Can it be used in foliage applications

[@davegaskell7680]

How can an excess of potassium in soils be managed? I have my soil and homemade compost analysed every year and both have always had an excess of potassium despite me trying to avoid adding any high K materials (banana peel, brassica stems, wood ash, etc.) to my compost. The title of this video is "How to Manage Potassium" but it's primarily about how to increase it, not manage it downwards. The CEC of my soil is 20+ and the compost is 30+

[@user-lb3rb5ck8i]

Is it applicable to potatoes or vegetables in general?

[@buenavistagardens6544]

I have a clay soil that went from 5% base saturation K to around 1.5% base saturation K after gypsum applications. I applied potassium sulfate to correct the imbalance have seen no real benefits to applying. If you have a logan labs test coming back low (in the 1% to 2% range) would you choose to not add any potassium sulfate and focus on biological applications?

[@andresgrayston4374]

until derek spills the chempak no 3