Using UltraGrowth On Clays

The description of clays is that they are the deterioration of rock that is caused by weathering. When clays are viewed under an electron microscope they appear like mutiple decks of cards that have been pushed over and multiple layers or plates are observed.

Clays are divided into several groups, each haveing different qualities that are dependent upon the amount of weathering and the type of parent geological material they are formed from. Three such clays are prevelent in the Alberta.

Since plants are comprised of 5% minerals from the soils and the balance is absobed through the air, (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen) clays are important to suppling the nutrients to plants through different release mechanisms from what are called the cation exchange sites. In viewing a soil analysis this is reflected in a number called the Cation Exchange Capacity or CEC. The higher the number, the higher the nutrient reserve is seen.

The multiple plates act as storage compartments releaseing minerials at the cation exchange sites when optimal pH, microbial activity or specific vegetation grows on the area. These factors combined with the weather conditions determine which and how many minerals may be available.

In Alberta, the general parent geological material consists of potassium feldspars; the ranges of the clays are the caolinite clays in southern Alberta to the bentonite clays in the central Alberta blending into the montmorilinites in northern Alberta.

The caolinite type clays are a 1/1 type of expanding clay (in other words they do not expand well when water is applied). These types of clays are excellent in making dishes and are prevellent in the MedicineHat area. The 1/1 type of clays have very low mineral content because of usage by the plants or the translocation of the minerals downward into the different soil horizons or water aquifers.

The plates do not retain water well, which is evident with the negetive expansion qualities of the clay. Remediations of these types of clays are easiest with a foliar spray of UltraGrowth Plant Food on the plants followed with foliar sprays of disolved minerals. On bare soil the UltraGrowth Soil Conditioner should be worked in with the liquid UltraGrowth applications being done directly when vegitation is visible and used throughout the growing season. If the plant still seems to be stuggling an application of foliar micronutrient may be necessary.

<< Previous    [1]  2  3    Next >>