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Five Signs of a Phosphorus Deficiency in Garden Plants

7/27/2015

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A phosphorus deficiency in your plants will cause stunted growth and prevent them from producing fruit as expected, yet is often overlooked or misdiagnosed as a nitrogen deficiency. Although it is a bit difficult to determine for the untrained eye, with a little effort you can learn to recognize signs that your plants are suffering from a phosphorus deficiency. Correcting the problem early will resolve the issue and your plants will thrive.

1. Small thin stalks. Plants that do not receive enough phosphorus develop weak, thin stalks that appear spindly. Healthy plants need strong stems to support the weight of the developing fruit. Thin stalks are not able to support the fruit and break easily in the wind. If your plants fail to develop stocky stems, phosphorus may be the culprit.

2. Stunted growth. Plants suffering from a phosphorus deficiency may be stunted and short in stature. In initial stages, they may appear healthy and look like much younger plants. If your plants are smaller than expected or smaller than other plants of the same age, they may need additional phosphorus.

3. Purple veins or a purple hue to the undersides of leaves.  Check both the top and bottom of the leaf for purple veins. This is evident on new growth as well as older leaves. In severe cases, the entire leaf may take on a purple hue.

4. Older leaves may appear bluish-green. Instead of the characteristic rich green of new growth you may notice leaves taking on a bluish tint.  Unless the plant foliage is typically blue-green (like in broccoli and cauliflower), blue-green leaves typically signal a lack of phosphorus.

5. Reduced blooms and/or onset of fruit. Phosphorus promotes blooming and fruit production. A deficiency may cause the plant to stop producing blooms or the blooms and fruits to be small and lack their usual color. For good fruit production, plants require phosphorus.

Tomato plants, like one above are susceptible to a phosphorus deficiency. Adding plastic mulch to increase soil temperatures may solve the problem, if the deficiency is due to cool soil. 



To increase the level of phosphorus in the soil, apply high phosphorus fertilizer (usually labeled as fertilizer for blooming plants). Miracle-Gro for tomatoes is high in phosphorus. 

Another common nutrient deficiency seen in garden plants is a phosphorus deficiency. A phosphorus deficiency can be caused by inadequate amounts of phosphorus in the soil, but due to the nature of phosphorus absorption, it can also be caused by low soil temperatures.
Picture
The pronounced purple veins on this tomato plant signal a phosphorus deficiency. Not all veins are this pronounced.
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Five signs of a nitrogen deficiency in garden plants

7/25/2015

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It's that time of year when nutrient deficiencies begin to cause problems in the garden. While most of us have given our plants a good start with starter fertilizer, many plants need supplemental fertilizer during the growing season. One of the most common nutrient deficiencies in a typical Maine garden is nitrogen. Without adequate nitrogen your plants cannot  build the nucleic acids and proteins they need for healthy growth and fruit production. A lack of nitrogen is often misdiagnosed as a lack of (or too much) water or attributed to the weather.  if your plants are looking a little pale and don't seem to be growing as they should, check them closely for these signs of a nitrogen defiency.
  1. Old leaves turn pale green and may eventually yellow and fall from the plant. Some yellowing of old leaves is normal, but if more than a leaf or two on your plant suddenly begins to yellow it is a good indication that your plants are suffering from a nitrogen deficiency.
  2. New leaves are paler green than existing leaves and appear to be smaller than normal. Young leaves should be a rich green and should grow rapidly. If they are tiny and fail to increase in size within a few days, they may need a boost of nitrogen.
  3. Plant growth slows or stalls. This should not be confused with plants that have reached their mature size. If the plant has not reached maturity or fails to produce new leaves and branching ceases, the culprit may be a nitrogen deficiency.
  4. The underside of leaves may take on a red or purple hue. Although this depends on the type of plant you are growing, leaves that discolor on the underside may be a sign for you to add nitrogen to the soil.
  5. Wilting easily under normal weather conditions. Plants suffering from a lack of nitrogen wilt quickly at the first sign of stress. If your plants are wilting when it is not excessively hot or they are not suffering from excessive dryness, a nitrogen deficiency may be causing them to wilt under stress.Note
Replenishing the usable nitrogen in the soil often produces rapid results. You may notice increased growth and richer color with a few days. You can add nitrogen by adding compost, well-rotted manure, fish emulsion or commercial fertilizers.

Water-soluble fertilizers designed as foliar feeders can be mixed and sprayed onto the plants. Allow adequate amounts of fertilizer to penetrate the soil. Look for mixtures that are high in nitrogen, denoted by the first number in the formula. Always follow the directions included on the container to avoid over feeding and damaging your plants.


Note: A soil test meter is  a great investment for monitoring the pH and nutrient levels in you soil. It only takes a minute to complete and takes the guess work out of troubleshooting problems with your plants.


                                                                      
nitrogen deficiency
A nitrogen deficiency causes slow plant growth and reduced fruit production.
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  • Home
  • Garden Thyme Blog
  • Themes
    • Moon Gardens
    • Sensory Gardens
    • All About Fairies
  • Flowers
    • Annual Flowers
    • Perennial Flowers
    • Maine Wildflowers
  • Veggies
    • Warm Season Vegetables
    • Cool Season Vegetables
  • Herbs
  • Gardening Basics
  • Birds
    • Hummingbirds >
      • DIY Hummingbird Feeders from Recycled Bottles
      • Annuals for Hummingbird Gardens
      • Perennials for Hummingbird Gardens
    • About Birdseed
    • Choosing a Birdfeeder
  • Fiddleheads and Fairies
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • How to Marinate Roasted Vegetables