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Vancouver Washington

My city water tests at about 6.0 and my plants seem to be yellowing a bit after putting them in the green house. I am wondering if acidic conditions can cause the plant to yellow, and if there is a fix for my source water. My soil ph is slightly acidic at aroud 6.8 or so, and i have a very high phosphorous level, adn potash level. Would adding a bit of lime to the water before applying work,is there a better chemical to add that would be mild and correct the ph.. Same thing happened last year,,, They yellowed early, but after they got well established went back to a nice dark green...any suggestions?

4/29/2007 5:01:35 PM

Jericho Vermont

If I could ask the temperature of your soil in the early spring planting? I believe colder soil will limit the amount of uptake of Nitrogen to your plants. My plants have yellowish leaves early on and as the soil temp warms up the plants become healthy green. I am not an expert or a soil scientist but this has happened to me for numerous years. Early to mid June usually fixes any yellowing. I am trying a better early heat source this year to see if it helps correct the problem.
John

4/29/2007 6:18:25 PM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

The very first pumpkin seed I ever planted was planted in a peat pot. Not knowing any better, I just planted the whole pot in the ground without poking any holes in it. It soon became yellow and sickly looking. As soon as I was told that it probably wasn't draining as well as it could, I (true story) took a screwdriver (can't remember if it was phillips or flat head) and poked it through the soil to where I thought the pot was in several places. I few days later the plant greened up and looked a lot happier. So, just wondering if you planted it in a peat pot with no holes?

4/29/2007 7:47:28 PM

In case the peat pot isn't the answer,, I agree with John,,,soil temps are the key to releasing the N as well as all the "stuff" we need for growing (one of the basic reasons almost ALL of our garden plants do best in midsummer). Try a N source of you choice,,lite dose and at the base of the plant.. early on a touch of calcium nitrate or a product containing chilean nitrate are both reasonable. You should see improvment in a day or two.
My water pH is running in the 5's and has not been a issue with the plants,,but my soil pH drops considerably over the season if I have to irrigate frequently.

4/29/2007 8:25:32 PM

[email protected]

Cold soils have poor nitrogen exchange due to limited bacteria activity. Can you stick a soil thermometer in the ground & give us the temperature?

4/29/2007 10:56:08 PM

Phoenix, AZ

It is not your water. The others here have been giving you good advice but the best way to know where you stand is to have a soil and foliar test done. If not, most likely it is N related.

4/30/2007 8:30:18 AM