Fertilizing after rain?

13 years ago

Before the past month of incessant rain, the pH of my 2 raised beds where I have tomatoes planted were 6.8 and 7.2, respectively, with Medium Low nitrate (5ppm) in the 7.2 bed but High ammonium (105ppm) there, Very High P (>100ppm) and High K, Ca, and Mg. The 6.8 pH bed had Medium High (12ppm) nitrate, Medium (35 ppm) ammonium, and High P, K, and Ca, Very High Mg. I did dig a little composted manure (pH 5.6, High nitrate and Medium ammonium nitrogen, High P Medium K Low Ca Medium High Mg) into each hole, just a shovelful mixed well with the loamy sand.

Now, I just checked since it appears the rain has stopped, plants in 6.8 pH bed have some dark splotches on the tops of leaves (almost purple), undersides not purple. Of course some lower leaves were yellow and also some edema so I took those off. The top growth looks very dark green/purple.

7.2 pH bed was planted first, with some plants that had been left in 6-packs so as expected the root system was not as developed and those will have to be replaced. But some plants that had been in 3.5-4.5" pots and had a very good root system (not potbound) are showing some "bronzing" of lower leaves with dark green growing tips (these are Grandma Mary's paste tomatoes and foliage is a bit wispy) others (Cosmonaut Volkov) are just the dark splotches on tops of leaves between the veins.

It's not the dark reddish distinct spots of Mg deficiency, not purple undersides of P shortage. Sorry no pix I didn't take the camera out. It's overall bronzing (not light yellow) of lower leaves on some (almost like Mg deficiency but these are in the bed with High Mg) and indistinct purple coloring between veins on others. Some plants(both beds) have somewhat purple stems. Not only has it rained 4 out of the last 5 days here (about 3", waiting to see if they are going to revise the amount from yesterday - it could be more) but it's been low-mid 50's (I believe the high here yesterday was 55, low 52).

I'm wondering if watering in some blood meal after the ground dries out a bit (at least the beds aren't squishy like surrounding ground) might help, or if all these plants have been set back (except for perhaps the ones planted this weekend that missed the first few inches of rain last week including the 2.33" last Friday)? I don't believe they need anything other than N, since pH was so high to begin with and other nutrients aren't as soluble, I think it might just be that they can't take them up due to low N/too much water?

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Comments (5)

sharonrossy
13 years ago
Not that I am any expert here, and your soil testing is beyond my scope. I actually bought a soil tester and then put it away! Most of my plants are in containers. I have had similar weather, although its been sunny for about two days here. I think I would maybe try giving them a dose of nitrate, coffee grinds are supposed to be good for that. Miracle Grow has a 18 18 24 one for tomatoes that you could give a weak dose to your plants. It sounds like they just need a chance to dry out and get some sun. I think it's going to be a slower, later growing season if this weather keeps up. I am also seeing some yellowing and a bit of mottling, mostly the lower leaves.
2ajsmama
Original Author
13 years ago
The Cosmonaut Volkov can't be replaced and though it's a little purple it's pretty sturdy, the Cheeseman's and Chadwick's don't look bad at all, I think the Brandywine and even the Cherokee Purple and Black Krim don't look too bad (though I have more of all those). I'm wondering, though, if I should pull and replace the SuperSweet 100s, Gardener's Delights, Rose de Bernes and Grandmas that were planted 2 weeks ago? I have ones in pots that look better, even if they are a bit leggy (and need N since they're light green)? Do you think 8" of rain in the past 2 weeks have set them back 2 weeks or more? This is Grandma Mary's. It looked MUCH better when I put them out (all green at least!)
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2ajsmama
Original Author
13 years ago
Cosmonaut Volkov
Moorlord
13 years ago
I would wait it out. My plants were looking quite similar although not as bad and after the rained stopped and it warmed up they exploded! I was getting really worried too but I decided the best thing to do was nothing. I am in 5b-6 as well here in southern Michigan and our weather just turned around although it looks like the rain is coming back for a while. My tomatoes were not the only thing effected either. My sweet corn also got that same purplish bronze look too and they bounced right back. I think it was too much rain and cold soil. Good luck! - Justin
2ajsmama
Original Author
13 years ago
I replaced all but 1 of my Rose De Bernes and SuperSweet 100s today, also replaced a couple of Grandma Mary's and may do 2-3 more. They were looking as bad as the poor potbound tomatoes that had been left outside at the garden center, and hadn't really put on much root growth in 3 weeks.

The Cosmonaut Volkov is looking pretty much the same, Brandywine, Rutgers, Cherokee Purple and Black Krim hanging in there. But the Mark Twain that I held back (only had 6) and planted on the 17th (just 4 days ago, but before another inch of rain) are starting to get that purple-black P deficient look the Cosmonaut have. I guess I really have to get a soil test ASAP but still wondering maybe liquid Neptune's Harvest this weekend for everything? May have to fertilize all summer?

We did have 1 night in the 40's (night before last - or actually early yesterday) but days have been in the 70's (upper 70's this week except for Wed) and most nights have been at least 50. I haven't checked the soil temp but assume that it's OK?

Neighbor on the ridge has nice looking plants (except for a little septoria), they had just as much rain and maybe colder nights so I'm thinking my problem is the soil (I didn't ask if she fertilizes but they have horses so maybe they manured the heck out of the garden area)? Oh, and they have landscape fabric down as mulch so maybe the soil IS a little warmer?

Just don't see how given the soil results above anything but N could have changed that drastically?

I want to get my peppers in this weekend, am amending heavily with the composted manure but don't know how much N is left in that now.