Cucurbit Nutrient Sufficiency Ranges
Plant Part
Time of Sampling
N P K Ca Mg S Fe Mn Zn B Cu
Percent (%)
Parts per Million (ppm)
Cucumber
Most recently
mature leaf
Before bloom 3.5-6 0.3-0.6 1.6-3 2-4 0.58-0.7 0.3-0.8 40-100 30-100 20-50 20-60 5-20
Early bloom 2.5-5 0.25-6 1.6-3 1.3-3.5 0.3-0.6 0.3-0.8
Muskmelon
Most recently
mature leaf
30-cm (12-in.)
vines
4-5 0.4-0.7 5-7 3-5 0.35-0.45 0.2-0.5 40-100 20-100 20-60 20-80 5-10
Early fruit set 3.5-4.5 0.25-0.4 1.8-4 1.8-5 0.3-0.4 0.2-0.5
Pumpkin
Most recently
mature leaf
5 weeks
after seedling
3-6 0.3-0.5 2.3-4 0.9-1.5 0.35-0.6 0.2-0.4 40-100 40-100 20-50 25-40 5-10
8 weeks
from seeding
3-4 0.25-0.4 2-3 0.9-1.5 0.3-0.5 0.2-0.4
Squash
Most recently
mature leaf
Early fruit 3-5 0.25-0.5 2-3 1-2 0.3-0.5 0.2-0.5 40-100 40-100 20-50 25-40 5-20
Watermelon
Most recently
mature leaf
Last cultivation 3-4 0.25-0.5 3-4 1-2 0.25-0.5 0.2-0.4 30-100 20-100 20-40 20-40 5-10
First flower 2.5-3.5 0.25-0.5 2.7-3.5 1-2 0.25-0.5 0.2-0.4
First fruit 2-3 0.25-0.5 2.3-3.5 1-2 0.25-0.5 0.2-0.4
Adapted from Maynard, D.N., and G.J. Hochmuth.2007. KnottŐs Handbook for Vegetable Growers, 5th edition.John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.