Analytical Services

Why Analyze?

Water is a basic building block of plants. Everyone should know the chemical composition of their irrigation water so they can provide the optimal fertilizer program as well as avoid any potential problems due to poor water quality.

Regular, periodic media and plant tissue testing is great insurance against crop production disasters. The detection and prevention of nutritional problems in your plants can be a crucial factor in the profitability of a greenhouse or nursery. As nutritional problems advance, the damage often cannot be reversed and plants may become unsalable or of lower quality.

Sun Gro has fully staffed, regional teams of professional and knowledgeable horticulturists who can provide practical solutions to your growing media and fertilizer needs. Our Technical Specialists use the results of these analytical tests to help you monitor the status of your crop and troubleshoot problems to optimize your growing media and fertilizer programs.

Visit the Sun Gro Analytical Web Site to learn more about the services offered, and to check your lab results.

Elements/Tests Measured

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Each Sun Gro Analytical Services analysis includes a comprehensive list of test results and ranges of acceptability as well as suggested remedies to help you manage your crop.

Media Analysis

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Media

"Snapshot" of nutritional conditions at sampling time. Results can be dependent upon most recent irrigation; e.g. clear water leach, fertilizer application or fungicide drench. May require samples from healthy and unhealthy plants.

Media Sampling Instructions

• For consistency, always try to take media samples within the same period after watering or feeding. Our extraction and testing methods are designed for soilless media or mixes containing less than 30% mineral soil.
• Select 8 to 10 pots representative of the crop being tested. Remove any granular chemicals or fertilizers along with the top inch of the soil profile. Cut a wedge or take a core of media from top to bottom of the pot. Thoroughly blend the samples and fill the plastic sample bag at least halfway to the top (at least 1 to 1.5 cups). Close securely and label samples.
• Completely fill out the Media Sample Survey Form including any additional pertinent information. Keep the top copy for your records and staple the bar coded copy to the top of the sample bag.
• If the media sample contains incorporated controlled release fertilizer enclose it in a rigid shipping container to avoid crushing prills.
• To diagnose plant problems send in separate samples from affected and non-affected plants.

Plant Tissue

"Picture" of accumulated effects of nutritional program. Best method of identifying nutritional imbalances. For best results include a matching media sample for each tissue sample. May require samples from healthy and unhealthy plants.

Plant Tissue Sampling Instructions

• For consistency, always try to take tissue samples during the same time of day.
• For routine analysis, take fully expanded, but recently matured leaves, from several plants of the same age, variety and condition. Places at least 20 to 30 average sized leaves (at least one ounce fresh weight) for each sample in separate paper bags. Close securely and label samples. Leaves must be clean, as samples covered with media cannot be tested. Make sure tissue is dry before shipping—blot with a paper towel if necessary before packing. Samples placed in plastic bags will rot during shipping and will not be usable.
• Completely fill out the Media Sample Survey Form including any additional pertinent information. Keep the top copy for your records and staple the bar coded copy to the top of the sample bag.
• Note anything that might have been applied to the foliage including fertilizer, chemicals or even hard water. Leaves are not washed prior to analysis. Any foliar-applied materials may show up confusing test results.
• To diagnose plant problems send in separate samples from affected and non-affected plants at the same development stage.

Water/Fertilizer Solutions

"Snapshot" of nutritional conditions at sampling time. Water quality can vary significantly between seasons and years. Test all ponds, wells or water sources on site separately since they can often vary from each other. Fertilizer concentrations are often incorrect due to improper preparation or faulty injectors. Check injectors with frequent soluble salt readings and periodic complete nutritional analysis.

Water/Fertilizer Solutions
Sampling Instructions

• To obtain a representative water sample, allow water to run a minute or two to flush out the line before collecting a sample. Take water samples from a line prior to any fertilizer or acid injection device. First fill a clean plastic bucket with sample water, and then immerse the plastic sample bottle in the bucket. This will completely fill the sample bottle avoiding any air bubbles which can compound the test results. Secure cap to avoid any leakage in shipping. If you do not have a Sun Gro sample bottle, use any clean (free of chemicals, detergents, etc.) plastic container which is between 8 to 12 ounces.
• If you are trying to correct for high alkalinity (bicarbonates), separate samples should be taken before and after any acid treatment.
• We recommend testing fertilizer solution at the point where it reaches the plant. First make sure that the injector is running properly and the concentrated fertilizer solution is correctly measured and dissolved. To obtain a representative fertilizer solution sample, allow hose or drip tube to run a minute or two after injector begins to work to flush out the lines before taking samples. Collect fertilizer solution samples in a similar manner as water samples (see paragraph #1 above).
• Label sample bottles with permanent magic marker. Completely fill out the Solution Sample Survey Form including any additional pertinent information; e.g. water source or water treatment. Keep one copy for your records and include the other with the sample bottle.