Earthboxes very slow to start...

[Tomatovator]

This is the 5th year I've used Earthboxes to suppliment my small garden growing space. Every year so far the plants in these boxes start very slow. All of the lower leaves turn yellow and fall off and they really look sick. After several weeks they seem to adjust and most do begin to grow. Some have to be pulled and replaced. They are always weeks behind my in ground plants and produce far less. Anyone else have this same problem? Too much moisture?

[rnewste]

Can you tell us the Grow Media you are using in your EarthBox? This will help us assist you in figuring out what is going wrong.

Raybo

[Tomatovator]

Raybo, Last year I used ProMix. This year I tried MG (not organic or moisture control). Two years ago I used a soiless mix my local nursery reccommended. I really can't recall what I used before that. This year I added 2 cups of lime to the mix and 1/2 dose of the old formula Espoma TT.

[rnewste]

Pro-Mix contains 14% Perlite, whereas you are lucky to find any measurable amount in Miracle-Gro Potting Mix. I went through the same thing with my EarthBox the second year, where the Potting Mix had all compacted down, and it was like Play-Dough when I emptied it out. Simply put, you are not getting aeration down to the root system now, hence the yellowing and poor growth.

My recommendation is to as a minimum, add in Perlite to the MG at a 4 part MG, to 1 part Perlite ratio. If you really want to tweak the Combo Mix, get some Decorative Bark Groundcover at Home Depot (or use Reptile Bark at a pet store if you only need a small quantity) and do the 3:2:1 Combo Mix of Potting Mix, Bark, and Perlite. I am using this in all of my EarthTainers and EarthBox this Season with great results.





Raybo

[Tomatovator]

Thanks Raybo. I did pull 3 of the plants, added perlite to the mix and replanted them. They are already showing improvement. Next year I'll try the bark chips too.

[geeboss]

Your plants will benefit from the roots able to get air/oxygen. What are you doing with your older mix after 3 years?








George

[Tomatovator]

George, My Brother-in-law lives near by and has several acres. He takes the boxes at the end of the season and uses the potting mix in his various planting areas.