Are you using fertilizer?

Nutrient deficiency.

Dave

No fertilizer - in potting soil. In the past I saw on the bags I bought they had fertilizer mixed in. My current stuff does not - so I am guessing you are right. It is made from sphagnum peat and perlite to get ph.

Try some fish emulsion or Epsom salt. Mix 1 tablespoon of the Epsom salt per gallon of water. If you want to use both Epsom salt and fish emulsion, space the applications about a week apart. One week Epsom salt, the other fish emulsion.

Thanks! So far no changes, roughly how long do you think it will take to look healthy again?

Depends on what and how much you fed them. They need nitrogen. Epsom salts is magnesium only. Fish emulsion has some N in it but it is very low dose.

Dave

PS: for future reference the bags that say they have fertilizer mixed in - it is very low dose and a slow release type. It is often sufficient for slow growing flowers but not sufficient for most vegetable plants.

Thanks! Good info! I used some miracle grow - good???

Don - I assume you mean you used MG water soluble fertilizer? If so then you should see some results by now - depending on how you mixed and fed it.

As for MG Potting Mix - most of the complaints about it are about the one with Moisture Control in it - the blue bag. Never had a problem with the mix in the yellow bag retaining too much water. I'd agree that it isn't the best stuff available but it sure beats most home-made mixes if for no other reason than it is pH balanced.

Dave

+1 to nutrient deficiency. Some compost tea plus regular old MG AP (24-8-16) should correct the deficiency. You can skip the tea if you want. However, despite giving the plug to MG AP I primary use Dyna-Gro FoliagePro. It is a much better product, but it costs more $$$.

My mom had good luck with containers filled with black earth topsoil and a generic (maybe it was CIL) box of time release 'tomato' fertilizer mixed in and she had no nutrient problems (apart from the rain washing it all out and needing a re-up!).

Bottom line: feed your toms and they'll be happy.

Not seeing results yet and yes my bags get WET and messy.

Also mine is 5 or 10 years old is it still ok?????

5-10 year old potting soil is fine. Which of the dozen fertilizers miracle gro produces did you use?