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Plant Nutrition for Greenhouse Crops: On-site Media Testing

Event date/time: 
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 - 12:30pm to 4:00pm

Cost: $30 (Includes refreshments and handouts)

Printable program and registration form

Late registration - email Tina smith On-line registration with a credit card

Printable Registration Form   

email Tina Smith

Enter On-line Registration

Processing fee applied at checkout (about $5 per person)

Program

12:00 – 12:30 PM Registration

12:30 – 1:20 PM   Taking Soil Samples & Media Testing Demonstration
Dr. Douglas Cox, UMass Extension   
A soil test result is only as accurate as the sample being tested. Doug will review proper procedures for taking growing media samples. He will then demonstrate 1:2 and pour through methods for preparing samples for on-site media testing.

1:20 – 2:00 AM   Learning to Identify Nutrient Disorders
Geoffrey Njue, UMass Extension
Geoffrey will provide information to help growers to correctly identify specific nutrient problems with key points that can help sort out problem symptoms of different nutrient elements.

2:00 – 2:10 Break

2:10 – 2:50 PM    Sorting Through Different Types of Meters

Mike Tremel and Kathleen McDermott, Hanna Instruments
Meters with probes, pen style meters, EC, pH….which portable meter to choose? Mike and Kathleen will show different types of soil test meters for electrical conductivity (EC) and pH and talk about the pros and cons of the different styles. They will also talk about care of meters.

2:50 – 3:20 PM    Interpreting Soil Test Result
Dr. Douglas Cox, UMass
Interpreting a soil test involves comparing the results of a test with the normal ranges of pH, soluble salts, and nutrient levels. Doug will walk us through “what the numbers mean” when using 1:2 or pour through methods of on-site soil testing.

3:20 – 4:00 PM    Checking and Calibrating Meters – Bring your meter to be calibrated
Dr. Douglas Cox, UMass, Mike Tremel and Kathleen McDermott, Hanna Instruments
Bring your soil test meter to be calibrated for EC and/or pH. Doug, Mike and Kathleen will check your meter and provide individual advice.  Let us know the type of meter you plan to bring on the registration form.

For more information contact:

Tina Smith, Univ. of Mass, Amherst 413-545-5306, tsmithatumext.umass.edu
Geoffrey Njue, Univ. of Mass, Cranberry Exp. Station 508-295-2212 ext. 47, gnjueatumext.umass.edu

Contact's name: 
Tina Smith
Contact's email: 
Contact's phone on day of event: 
413-545-5306
Rte 131 277 Main St. Sturbridge MA