Soil-less mix testing

lakelady · October 18, 2011

I have some tomatoes in pots indoors. Some are not looking too good anymore and I can't figure out why. I have good light; it was a bit dry but I put a humidifier on right next to them. They aren't "wet" according to my meter they are "moist". So I got a test kit which has 4 little containers that you test for pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and potash.

I am borderline sufficient/surplus in Phosphorous. My ph reads at neutral 7.0. I"m a little deficient in Nitrogen, and depleted according to the test, in potash.

sheesh. I used lime and tomato tone and eggshells when I potted up (we have acidic soil). My mix is a soil less mix from Fox Farms, with a lot of pine bark fines, and some perlite. Is there a quick fix for this? I don't want to lose my plants and I'm not sure anything dried that I mix in will be helpful fast enough. I have some old woodashes in the fireplace, and some mushroom compost in the garage I was wondering if they would help.

Suggestions? I'm not sure these tests are totally accurate, but something is definately wrong with the plants as they are getting dry brown leaf tips, some of them yellowing between green veins, at the bottom and working their way up. The plants are wilted.

October 18, 2011	#1
lakelady Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: northern NJ zone 6b Posts: 1,862	Soil-less mix testing I have some tomatoes in pots indoors. Some are not looking too good anymore and I can't figure out why. I have good light; it was a bit dry but I put a humidifier on right next to them. They aren't "wet" according to my meter they are "moist". So I got a test kit which has 4 little containers that you test for pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and potash. I am borderline sufficient/surplus in Phosphorous. My ph reads at neutral 7.0. I"m a little deficient in Nitrogen, and depleted according to the test, in potash. sheesh. I used lime and tomato tone and eggshells when I potted up (we have acidic soil). My mix is a soil less mix from Fox Farms, with a lot of pine bark fines, and some perlite. Is there a quick fix for this? I don't want to lose my plants and I'm not sure anything dried that I mix in will be helpful fast enough. I have some old woodashes in the fireplace, and some mushroom compost in the garage I was wondering if they would help. Suggestions? I'm not sure these tests are totally accurate, but something is definately wrong with the plants as they are getting dry brown leaf tips, some of them yellowing between green veins, at the bottom and working their way up. The plants are wilted.