I had this problem two years ago so i didnt plant this garden last year....decided to plant it again and low and behold i am having the same problem. Ocean Forest soil, 150 gallon smart pots. I've hit them with max sea, cal mag, liquid karma, sea green, a grow nute made locally and even tried compost tea.....All of these were not used at once just over a period of time. Ph is at 7 which i know isnt ideal but has worked fine before. The veins in the leaves turn brown and eventually kill the leaf...starting from the inside of the plant and moving its way out.any info would be greatly appreciated.
What's going on?
- Thread starter ThankGood
- Start date
JohnySmith1
Well-Known Member
Hello mate, you have quiet a few problems here.
Problem 1:
Multiple deficiency, due to pH problems.
pH 7 is too high, even though it is neutral. At neutral pH some nutrients are not being absorbed by the root so every time you feeding plants, concentration of nutrient in the soil building up.
Problem 2:
Nutrient burn, due to high nutrient concentration.
One of the reasons is described in the problem 1
Other reason for that is using too many unnecessary additives! Regardless of their cost and quality, using additives will increase dissolved salts concentration, and it will damage the roots.
Solution:
Give them plain tap water, without adding any nuts or additives, all you need is to set pH to 6.4 - 6.5 . Keep giving them plain water until they recover, and then start feeding with 1/4 the amount of what you have been giving them in the past.
Problem 1:
Multiple deficiency, due to pH problems.
pH 7 is too high, even though it is neutral. At neutral pH some nutrients are not being absorbed by the root so every time you feeding plants, concentration of nutrient in the soil building up.
Problem 2:
Nutrient burn, due to high nutrient concentration.
One of the reasons is described in the problem 1
Other reason for that is using too many unnecessary additives! Regardless of their cost and quality, using additives will increase dissolved salts concentration, and it will damage the roots.
Solution:
Give them plain tap water, without adding any nuts or additives, all you need is to set pH to 6.4 - 6.5 . Keep giving them plain water until they recover, and then start feeding with 1/4 the amount of what you have been giving them in the past.
JohnySmith1
Well-Known Member
also I have a question, why do you use smart pots with the soil? they are designed to be used with soil-less medium (coco coir)!
Thanks for the quick reply Johny. Everyone in my area (northern california) uses smart pots with good results. I've been doing this for a good while and don't have this problem anywhere else which is why I am dumb founded. I will definitely start pHing and only water for a while.
JohnySmith1
Well-Known Member
In soil roots are very dependant of oxygen, if soil is saturated with water most oxygen is pushed out. As far as I know, smart pots keeping the soil always saturated with water.
But choice is yours mate
With Smart pots being made of fabric they actually help your plants get oxygen. All of the roots get air pruned and the soil seems to dry much quicker. All of my pots are also set on pallets to help with air flow. I have plants in 200 and 300 gallon smart pots that are kicking ass....it's just this one garden that is having the problem.
JohnySmith1
Well-Known Member
My mistake, I thought by smart pots you mean self watering. The fabric once are perfect!
OG Gardenz
Active Member
also looks like you have Thrips... like fungus gnats their larvae live in the soil!
The ocean forest does do it's job for a while but the plants usually thrive with the regimen I give them. I definitely have thrips and have them every year....they never seem to do much damage but could be the problem. Like I said it's just this one garden....not doing a thing different with everything else and they are just fine. Just got a microscope and gas powered back pack sprayer. All I can do is start checking things off the list. Thanks for all the input.