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Author Topic: Bulb Log 52  (Read 3997 times)

annew

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Bulb Log 52
« on: January 01, 2010, 10:47:50 AM »
Many, many thanks for another year of excellent bulb logs, Ian - I always learn from them, or find something to think about.
For instance, it seems very strange to me that you use the method you do (which obviously gives the right results) of tipping a pile of powdered potash (potassium sulphate?) on the top of your pots. It looks so harsh, and seems to go against what you say about not harming the micro-organisms. Is it because it is relatively insoluble and so the concentration of the solution in the compost remains low?
I hope you don't lose any bulbs, or at least not your favourites! If I can help to restock any losses, I will be happy to, just let me know.
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

www.dryad-home.co.uk

Ian Y

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2010, 12:13:14 PM »
Quote
Many, thanks for another year of excellent bulb logs, Ian - I always learn from them, or find something to think about.

Thank you Anne; making people think is the biggest compliment that you can pay me.
I have always been a thinker puzzling over anything and everything since I was a kid.
In fact I was the annoying kid that always asked why, what for,what if, etc.
When no answers were forth coming I decided at an early age that I would have to work them out for myself.

Writing the Bulb Log for seven years has made me think and analyse what I am doing even more than I would normally.

I too am puzzled why the potash powder works so well and apparently does no harm. I can speculate that there are three possible reasons or a combination of them all.
1- That the potassium sulphate is not harmful to these organisms. We should remember that not all chemicals are harmful and not everything organic is beneficial
2- By adding it late in the growth cycle it does not have a harmful effect.
3- The fact that potassium also boosts the plants immune system counteracts any loss of the beneficial fungus and bacteria.
If I knew of or had an organic source of Potassium I would trial it.

Thank you also for the kind offer to restock but some of the bulbs there are not replaceable as they were some of my own selected seedlings. They may survive and if they don't I will quickly fill the space with all the pots of seedlings that are coming on but I will remember your kind offer.
« Last Edit: January 01, 2010, 01:03:46 PM by Ian Y »
Ian Young, Aberdeen North East Scotland   - 
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb

DaveM

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2010, 12:18:15 PM »
Ian - many thanks for another year's logs - a magnificent resource for us all - and a key reason why this site is such a success. Now..... how about that book....... :D :D :D.......
Dave Millward, East Lothian, Scotland

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2010, 04:18:25 PM »
Ian - many thanks for another year's logs - a magnificent resource for us all - and a key reason why this site is such a success. Now..... how about that book....... :D :D :D.......

Seconded! Come on Ian get the pen going, we need that book ;D
David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

Gerry Webster

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2010, 04:59:11 PM »
Over 20 years ago in his 'Varieties List' Paul Christian recommended adding potassium sulphate once or twice  after flowering. His only precautionary note was to keep it off the leaves. 
Gerry passed away  at home  on 25th February 2021 - his posts are  left  in the  forum in memory of him.
His was a long life - lived well.

angie

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2010, 05:05:53 PM »
 
Quote
Seconded! Come on Ian get the pen going, we need that book
Quote
Ian - many thanks for another year's logs - a magnificent resource for us all - and a key reason why this site is such a success. Now..... how about that book....... :D :D :D.......


Thanks Ian for your last log of 2009, really enjoyable and I find them really helpful, looking forward to all your 2010 logs.

David that's a great idea, but would Ian ever find the spare time , I suppose he could write it whilst he is sitting in the sauna.
Angie :)
« Last Edit: January 01, 2010, 10:00:42 PM by Maggi Young »
Angie T.
....just outside Aberdeen in North East Scotland

TC

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #6 on: January 01, 2010, 05:07:22 PM »
I have a problem with the bulb log.  When I click on the current version Firefox crashes and I get a message telling me that it has encountered a problem.
This has been happening for months.  I even removed Adobe reader to see if this made a difference and installed another pdf reader but nothing has changed..  Any ideas?
Tom Cameron
Ayr, West of Scotland

Maren

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2010, 06:30:31 PM »
Could it be the software version? I run Firefox 3.0.16 on Mozilla /5.0 and have no problems opening the bulb log.
Maren in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom - Zone 8

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Gerry Webster

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2010, 08:11:36 PM »
I have a problem with the bulb log.  When I click on the current version Firefox crashes and I get a message telling me that it has encountered a problem.
This has been happening for months.  I even removed Adobe reader to see if this made a difference and installed another pdf reader but nothing has changed..  Any ideas?
Tom - I vaguely remember some time ago having problems with PDFs with Firefox on a Mac. Do you have the latest version, 3.5.6?  This works perfectly with me.
Gerry passed away  at home  on 25th February 2021 - his posts are  left  in the  forum in memory of him.
His was a long life - lived well.

Ian Y

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2010, 10:05:03 PM »
Quote
I have a problem with the bulb log.  When I click on the current version Firefox crashes and I get a message telling me that it has encountered a problem.
This has been happening for months.  I even removed Adobe reader to see if this made a difference and installed another pdf reader but nothing has changed..  Any ideas?

I use firefox all the time and have no problems, I can only think that you have a corrupt program or a conflict between programs Tom.
Certainly installing the latest versions will help.

If you google the bulb log by number google gives the option to open it as HTML.
Edit
I have just tried that and it only shows the text - not a lot of good.
« Last Edit: January 01, 2010, 10:21:36 PM by Ian Y »
Ian Young, Aberdeen North East Scotland   - 
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.
https://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/index.php?log=bulb

TC

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2010, 11:17:55 AM »
It's a Firefox problem. This happens on both Windows XP and Vista.  When I use Internet Explorer I can download the full postings.  My Firefox is the latest version but it was doing this with previous versions.  I also get crashes when I use a hyperlink.  It looks as if the only way round this is to re-install XP and Vista.  Not a happy thought as I have 200Gb. of pictures and some videos which would have to be input.
Tom Cameron
Ayr, West of Scotland

ian mcenery

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2010, 03:02:31 PM »
Many, many thanks for another year of excellent bulb logs, Ian - I always learn from them, or find something to think about.

Me also ----------- thanks Ian and a happy new year
Ian McEnery Sutton Coldfield  West Midlands 600ft above sea level

David Pilling

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2010, 06:36:51 PM »
It's a Firefox problem. This happens on both Windows XP and Vista.  When I use Internet Explorer I can download the full postings.  My Firefox is the latest version but it was doing this with previous versions.  I also get crashes when I use a hyperlink.  It looks as if the only way round this is to re-install XP and Vista.  Not a happy thought as I have 200Gb. of pictures and some videos which would have to be input.

There is a comment here:

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Firefox+crashes+when+trying+to+download+a+file

A reinstall can leave your documents intact and all it's going to do is clear registry entries or remove problem files (which you could do by hand much quicker).

FF + XP works OK for me.




David Pilling at the seaside in North West England.

Ragged Robin

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #13 on: January 15, 2010, 02:28:18 PM »
Ian, the anticipation as one clicks the link to download your latest Bulb Log is full of suspense.....then the reality as one browses through is so satisfying and enjoyable with wonderful photos and words that never preach only guide in a way that makes one appreciate successes or failures and enjoy the love of growing things and finding the way to make them happy.  Thank you for your diary records and inspiration to try better in 2010.   :)
Valais, Switzerland - 1,200 metres - Continental climate - rocks and moraine

maggiepie

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Re: Bulb Log 52
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2010, 09:34:37 PM »

I too am puzzled why the potash powder works so well and apparently does no harm. I can speculate that there are three possible reasons or a combination of them all.
1- That the potassium sulphate is not harmful to these organisms. We should remember that not all chemicals are harmful and not everything organic is beneficial
2- By adding it late in the growth cycle it does not have a harmful effect.
3- The fact that potassium also boosts the plants immune system counteracts any loss of the beneficial fungus and bacteria.
If I knew of or had an organic source of Potassium I would trial it.



Banana skins?

http://jds.fass.org/cgi/reprint/32/11/969.pdf
Helen Poirier , Australia

 


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