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  1. #1
    Members Basil1's Avatar
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    Why are tomato plants wilting?

    Suddenly started drooping and some leaves drying up. A few tomatoes have fallen off. There has not been any severe weather recently and still have nitrate readings so not starving, unless for some other mineral. Tomatoes are being very slow to ripen if at all. Same variety planted in ground and watered is producing well.
    People cry because they are sad. For example, I cry because other people are stupid, and that makes me sad.

  2. #2
    Members bcotton's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    When tomatoes are ready to fruit they start using a lot less nitrates and a lot more phosphorus. Aquaponics is notoriously low in phosphates. You can add a supplement or what I do is just limit the number of fruiting plants in my system.

    This is just a guess. If you can swing a picture there's guys on the forum that can tell you exactly what the issue is.

    brian

  3. #3
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    Quote Originally Posted by bcotton
    When tomatoes are ready to fruit they start using a lot less nitrates and a lot more phosphorus. Aquaponics is notoriously low in phosphates. You can add a supplement or what I do is just limit the number of fruiting plants in my system.

    This is just a guess. If you can swing a picture there's guys on the forum that can tell you exactly what the issue is.

    brian
    Sounds like a lot is expected from this guy. No pressure!

  4. #4
    Members bcotton's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    heh, yeah, rereading my post maybe the word "exactly" is too strong, but a picture can definitely help narrow it down.

    brian

  5. #5
    Members dead_sled's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    Just to preface this post, I am a newb. I am under the impression that phosphorus is usually at sufficient levels in ap systems. I read that fish waste breaks down to the NPK ratio of 20:20:1. Seems like sufficient phos. http://www.aps.uoguelph.ca/~aquacent...t%20Manure.PDF

    Basil1, do you have worms in the grow beds to speed up the break down off solid waste? Have you tested the phosphorus levels? Could be a ph level problem, also

    You need to repost your hyperlink above...it goes nowhere JCO
    Less irritating avatar since 02/27/14.

  6. #6
    Members Basil1's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    [attachment=0:smt070up]20120223_140521.jpg[/attachment:smt070up] [attachment=1:smt070up]20120223_140455.jpg[/attachment:smt070up]

    Here are the pics, tell me "exactly" what's wrong.
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    People cry because they are sad. For example, I cry because other people are stupid, and that makes me sad.

  7. #7
    Members Basil1's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    Quote Originally Posted by dead_sled

    Basil1, do you have worms in the grow beds to speed up the break down off solid waste? Have you tested the phosphorus levels? Could be a ph level problem, also
    No, no and don't think so.
    People cry because they are sad. For example, I cry because other people are stupid, and that makes me sad.

  8. #8
    Members dead_sled's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    Quote Originally Posted by dead_sled
    Just to preface this post, I am a newb. I am under the impression that phosphorus is usually at sufficient levels in ap systems. I read that fish waste breaks down to the NPK ratio of 20:20:1. Seems like sufficient phos. http://www.aps.uoguelph.ca/~aquacent...t%20Manure.PDF

    Basil1, do you have worms in the grow beds to speed up the break down off solid waste? Have you tested the phosphorus levels? Could be a ph level problem, also

    You need to repost your hyperlink above...it goes nowhere JCO
    New link: http://www.aps.uoguelph.ca/aquacentr...0(Jun2007).pdf
    Less irritating avatar since 02/27/14.

  9. #9
    Moderator urbanfarmer's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    I SEE IRON, CALCIUM, AND POTASSIUM DEFICIENCIES.

    Does that plant get enough light? Obviously it's a picture; so, it's too hard to tell, but from the color and the thinness it looks like it's not getting enough light at first glance. It's extremely hard to tell with those pictures. We are of course ruling out any other possible environmental factors, pest, or disease for this diagnosis.

    The older tomato leaf on the top right shows a potassium deficiency.

    The younger tomato leaf in the foreground shows calcium deficiency.

    The sweet potato looking leaf on the bottom left shows iron deficiency.

    Can I get a better picture?

  10. #10
    Members bcotton's Avatar
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    Re: Why are tomato plants wilting?

    @dead_sled, I didnt say there were no phosphorous in aquaponics, mineralization is great and all, but you are going to be able to support a lot more vegatative growth than flowering/fruiting.

    @urbanafarmer, never ceases to amaze.

    @basil, dead_sled has a valid point. What is your PH? PH can cause apparent mineral deficiencies as plants absorb nutrients the best in a certain range. There's some great posts/threads on that topic already on this forum.

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