|
| I have containers (18g rubbermaid) that I am using for my garden. I have been using a soilless mix that I buy at my local green house and it works very, very well. Good drainage and excellent plant health. This year, I added 2 raised bed gardens that are 8'x4'x 11". For them, I used a mix of compost and topsoil that a local place sells by the yard. I planted tomatoes and peppers in the 2 large raised beds. They are not doing well. The tomatoes are stunted and deep, deep green and the leaves are leathery. The peppers are stunted and yellow-ish. The peppers did suffer from sunburn, but are recovering. New growth is green to yellow green on both peppers and tomatoes. I have checked the pH in both types of beds and they are approximately equal. I bought another soil test kit today and the results are inconclusive at best. It appears that there is very little nitrogen and an excess of K and P.
So, my question is: What would be in commercial compost that would cause these kind of issues? Or in the topsoil for that matter? I have the same plants in both types of containers, purchased and the same time from the same source and the smaller containers in the potting soil are vigorous and the raised beds are stunted. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. -Aaron Oh, sun exposure is equal on both and they get full sun, 12-14 hours. No shade. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Your compost is most likely not broken down enough, and not breaking down fast enough to provide the nitrogen your plants need. Typically, for starting a new garden, organically that is, you want to make the beds and mix in your compost the year before, and then every year after. Just mixing up topsoil and compost, then popping plants in isn't going to work, because your compost has had no time to break down. You may want to use chemical fertilizer this year. Joe |
|
| I agree - unfinished compost or uncomposted organic matter incorporated into the soil pretty much guarantees N immobilization. pH issues are a possibility as well, if micronutrient deficiencies are coming into play (leathery leaves possibly a boron issue). You might wish to consider using a high-N fertilizer like 30-10-10 or even a granular fertilizer formulated for quick lawn green-up (like 27-3-3, eg). Blood meal is another possibility. Al |
|
| Boron deficiency Stems stiff; terminal buds die and growths die back; lateral shoots developed, giving plant flat top; leaves highly tinted purple, brown and yellow. i think it more a nitrogen problem. |
|
- Posted by planecrazy29 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 21, 11 at 22:30
| Well, that pretty much matches my soil tests then. Zero nitrogen, high phosphorus and normal to high potassium. Thank you for your replies. I'll get some high N fertilizer. I added Guano that is 10-2-.5 tonight, but I'm not sure it will be enough. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Container Gardening Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.