Sorry to post again so quickly. I was doing some EC measurements today, and as it usually is with Chapin Drip tube system, the salt content on the top layer is very high while the actual reading zone is where it should be.

My question is though, when they take the plants up to the retail greenhouse and begin to hand water them, will that 6mS salt level do any damage as it moves to the bottom, or does this top layer consist of minerals that wouldn't affect the root zone?

Tom, As long as they use plain water in the retail area I believe you will be ok. Remember that not all the elements become soluble at the same time and every time they water with plain water they will in effect leach out a portion of the built up salts. Letting the Poinsettias go bone dry at this point may be the problem with SS levels that high. If in doubt why not do a couple of fresh "hand" water leachings if possible before they go to retail....Michael Pawelek

That's what i was thinking of doing... Thanks!

Hi Tom - The only way to know what the salts consist of (minerals, etc.) would be to have a soil analysis. If clear water is used in the retail environment as Michael said, whatever the salts are made of will more than likely be released slowly and shouldn’t affect the plant. The key is to not let the plants dry too much. You should be done fertilizing by know anyway and you and Michael are both on the right track with doing a couple good leachings before they go to retail.

Excellent, thank you..