Treating Potassium and Phosphorous Deficiencies

[lilJenBug]

Hi all,

I'm seeing signs of phosphorous and potassium deficiencies in my tomato plants and I'm wondering what the best way to correct it in earthboxes. I do give my plants the snack once a week. So far I have huge beefsteaks but none of the big boys have ripened yet (I got a late start--most were planted mid June and July), but a few cherry tomatoes have.

Any suggestions?

Jen

[lilJenBug]

I may also have some wilt or blight... not sure which... any suggestions from these pictures?

[gardendoc]

If you set the EBs up with an upfront load of the fertilizer of your choice I doubt you're seeing deficiencies. Images look pretty normal for tomatoes being grown in late August. Remember you want nice tomatoes not necessarily nice looking plants.

[lilJenBug]

I used the earth box replant kits and give it the snack once a week. I do live in San Diego and my plants have run out of fertilizer before because of our long growing season but I didn't think that was the issue because I planted in June instead of March like I usually do (new house, took longer to get garden area built and set up than I had anticipated!) I know they're not getting enough water because I can only water them once a day (not living there yet so stop by after work every day) and my automatic watering system is buried somewhere in my storage unit!

Did you see the pictures below I. The second reply? Does it look like I have blight or wilt? To me it looks like V but I don't think it's the right conditions for it in San Diego, plus I'm using pro-mix BX this year.

[gardendoc]

I doubt that it's blight and you would know immediately if was wilt, but it's hard to diagnose from pictures. You could take leaves to your Extension office for their opinion and send to the plant path lab to confirm.

[MILKMAN53]

 Hey Doc and lilJenBug I have same thing my tomato but they are on the bottom of the plant its only a few that I have. You are right about being late in August. Thanks for the infor on it.

[lilJenBug]

Thank you gardendoc! That makes me feel soooo much better! I am so glad the forum is back or I would have been really freaking out! I've never planted this late so I feel like I'm in all new territory!