skip to main content

Container Gardening

Mineral Deficiency- Which Mineral?

12 years ago

I am pretty sure I have a mineral deficiency. In the last 2 days my tomatillos which are in #15 nursery containers have developed this spotted chlorosis pattern, and it is appearing on more leaves and more pronounced. Does anyone know which mineral deficiency this could be. I am fertilizing with MG 24-8-16, a little less than 1/2 strength about every 8 days (each watering) they otherwise appear healthy, and are producing fruit already. Below is a link to the pictures.

Thanks, Jon

Here is a link that might be useful: Tomatillo Leaves

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Spongey600
12 years ago
i am by no means a professional(this is my second year of growing in pots) but from what i have read on here and the pictures i have seen. this might be a case of the annoying little spider mite! the yellow will continue to spread till the leaf falls off. if this is your enemy you can only keep them under control. they are worse to get rid of than a overly needy significant other(so i hear) i hope i am wrong for your sake.

Eric
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
12 years ago
It's always a good idea to eliminate the possibility of insect pests (like mites) before you begin looking toward nutrient deficiencies/toxicities as the trouble source, so please do that by holding a white sheet of paper under affected leaves & tapping them vigorously, then look for moving pepper-fine specks on the paper.

Because of your fertilizer, I would start asking questions about what soil you're using and whether or not it contained lime and what kind. It does looks like fairly early stages of a Mg deficiency (chlorotic blotches) - and I would strongly suspect Mg if the spots turn from chlorotic to necrotic.

Al
Related Discussions
Some Fairytale Eggplant are white--mineral deficiency?
Q
Comments (5)
noone around here grows Gretel. Does that sometimes happen with the seed seller? I had several Hamson tomatoes that were perfect, and then a few plants that always produced tough skinned little mutants. I'm new to growing larger quantities.
...See More
Mineral deficiency?
Q
Comments (3)
Yes, pale with dark veins especially on the new growth indicates iron deficiency. The basic cause is high pH (alkalinity) or in some cases waterlogging. These conditions make the iron in the soil unavailable to the plant. The best course of action is to measure the pH and add the recommended amount of sulfur to correct it. However, it takes a long time for this to work. Meanwhile you can apply an iron product or switch your fertilizer to Miracid, which contains available iron.
...See More
powdery mildew? mineral deficiency? something else?
Q
Comments (1)
Looks like it went on the dry side one too many times.
...See More
How to tell mineral or nutrient deficiency in plants and soil
Q
Comments (160)
Jue Shei: for the 1st picture, you are right that the whole plant is not pale, but only the upper leaves. I look at your 1st pic. three times, and it looks like iron deficiency (dark veins on pale leaves). See below excerpt: "Iron Deficiency: Caused by High soil pH and salinity. - High Phosphorus, Manganese, Calcium, Molybdenum or Zinc levels. - Soil low in organic matter & Insufficient drainage. Leaves become yellow or near white between their veins. Stunted growth." From Straw: For your 1st pic., it looks like high soil pH (wood ash has pH of 13), plus salinity or high salt (wood ash is very high salt). If you did NOT put wood ash in the pot, it can also be poor drainage. My rose in soaking wet clay has that problem during heavy rain. If water cannot drain fast from a pot, upper leaves can have iron deficiency (pale background with darker veins). If it's a high pH problem from topping with wood ash, then scrape off the topsoil When the soil inside the pot IS NOT changed every 2 years, then the soil becomes compact and water can't drain fast, roses will turn pale. My most dark-green roses are with NEW potting soii which is fluffy and has air for root growth. If your soil is more than 2-year-old in the pot, then change to NEW SOIL will help. Old soil in the pot for more than 2 years accumulate too much salt, then become compact so roots have zero air, so leaves turn pale. From the web: "An ideal soil contains 25 percent air, 25 percent water, 45 percent minerals and 5 percent organic matter."
...See More
JVjava
Original Author
12 years ago
Al,

I don't think it is pests. I have been pinching aphids, and cleaning off the leaves 2x a day. I did the paper test, and found nothing. I'm using the same soil that I have my pepper plants in. I posted in an earlier thread. I am using GreenAll soil booster and perlite. about 50/50 ratio. I did not add lime. The pH was right at 7 when I tested about 2 weeks ago. I did contact our local water supply and our H2O is about 120ppm alkalinity. (calcium carbonate, I think?) so I have been putting about 1 tsp. vinegar per gallon of water into the water when I water. I also have been filling 5 gallon buckets of water a couple of days before I water to let the chlorine dissipate a little before I water. I add the vinegar and nutrients to the water when feeding the plants. I was thinking about adding lime but did not want to raise the pH. Greenman, said I could use gypsum to add calcium without raising pH. Should I quit adding vinegar? Should I get gypsum? I ordered FP 9-3-6 today, should be here Tuesday and will make the switch... I have pretty good drainage. when I water about 10% seems to be draining through the holes. It's been warmer this week, so I actually had to water again today, after 5 days. I used a little less than 1 tbsp. of MG 24-8-16, and the vinegar in a 2.5 gal. water jug.

Thanks again for all your help. I have 4 plants with peppers on them, about 15 little tomatillos, and about 10 little green tomatoes, so something at least there is some good news too.

Jon

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Which Bathroom Vanity Will Work for You?

By Lara Sargent

Vanities can be smart centerpieces and offer tons of storage. See which design would best suit your bathroom

REMODELING GUIDES Top 10 Tips for Choosing Shower Tile

By By Any Design Ltd.

Slip resistance, curves and even the mineral content of your water all affect which tile is best for your shower

HEALTHY HOME How to Choose a Home Water Filtering System

By Laura Gaskill

Learn which water purification method is best for your house, from pitchers to whole-house setups

KITCHEN DESIGN 5 Favorite Granites for Gorgeous Kitchen Countertops

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

See granite types from white to black in action, and learn which cabinet finishes and fixture materials pair best with each

INSIDE HOUZZ A New Houzz Survey Reveals What You Really Want in Your Kitchen

By Mitchell Parker

Discover what Houzzers are planning for their new kitchens and which features are falling off the design radar

KITCHEN DESIGN So Over Stainless in the Kitchen? 14 Reasons to Give In to Color

By Becky Harris

Colorful kitchen appliances are popular again, and now you've got more choices than ever. Which would you choose?

MATERIALS Kitchen Ideas: How to Choose the Perfect Backsplash

By Sophie Baylis

Backsplashes not only protect your walls, they also add color, pattern and texture. Find out which material is right for you

GARDENING GUIDES Weed War: When and How to Use Chemical Herbicides

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Before you spray, arm yourself with knowledge about which weed killers — natural or synthetic — are right for your yard

DECORATING GUIDES Geology 101: Malachite Madness

By Bryan Anthony

This semiprecious stone has been turning heads since ancient times. See how to incorporate its emerald green swirls into your decor

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Modern and Moody Nostalgia in Salt Lake City

Dark, masculine and nodding to the past, this 1911 apartment is a haven for contemplation

Sponsored

C. David Johnson

Designing Beautiful, Sustainable Homes in Columbus

More Discussions

How do I save my snake plant

5

was just gifted a starter gardenia bonsai

1

Combine 5-1-1 And Gritty Mix?

3

Planting in small concrete planters

2

Needed plant for sun/shade deck

6