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PostPosted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:19 pm 
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I live in NE Houston. I have a small raised bed where i just planted out a few tomato plants a couple weeks ago. Before planting out, I raised them from seed in my greenhouse. I hardened them off properly, and then planted them out, at the risk of a frost (which so far hasn't come!). Anyway, I've begun to notice they are turning a little yellow, as if they have a nutrient deficiency. I just built the raised bed, and the profile is as such: dug under the existing soil, 4" of dried horse manure, 2" of leaf litter compost, 3" of "garden soil" (a sandy, mulch ridden dirt mix) from the local nursery. I don't think the plants are really all the nutrient deprived. I have since also treated them with a nitrogen rich foliar feed, and a drench of the same composition.
My theory is this: due to the soil being still cool, the plants have essentially ceased growth, thus ceasing photosynthesis, and losing color in the leaves. I'm hoping as the soil warms a little more they will start to green up. Has anyone else seen this before? Is my guess a valid guess? Please let me know. I'm planning on getting some black plastic to lay around the base to help absorb some of the sun's heat and hold it in the soil. Thanks in advance.

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:52 am 
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You normally don't put tomatoes out till mid March. Beds always get better with age. You probably have no microbial activity in there and lack molasses and other micro nutrients. You should always give veggies a little balanced, organic fertilizer when planted, then don't fertilize again till it starts setting fruit. The color is telling you something.

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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:55 pm 
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I'm happy to say my tomatoes have greened up and are now 3'+ tall, and starting to bloom. I think think that indeed the soil was just not set up since it was a newly constructed bed. I had assisted them a few times with compost tea and I guess it has finally set in. Also yes, at least one treatment of dry molasses, although that was more for fire ant repellent at the time.

I think also with the temps cooler that they were just growing slowly. I imagine the cool soil probably stunted root growth, which then restricted nutrient acquisition. But like I said, they are doing great now!

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Tom Brueggen
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:55 pm 
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You were way early on putting out those plants. As warm as the days have been in Fort Worth lately, I'm not putting mine out for a couple of more weeks. They languish in the cool soil. Since that is a new bed you might want to add some of the liquid Thrive to the water you pour on the soil.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:18 am 
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Mine have already grown several inches since putting them out. The soil is not as cool as you might think.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:08 am 
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I'll have to hunt down some Super Fantastic then, and see what they can do!

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PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 6:49 am 
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Come to North Haven Gardens..we have them!

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PostPosted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 9:43 pm 
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Location: Allen, TX
Texas Plant and Soil Lab has published a paper on tomatoes with some good pictures. Good to know information: http://northtexasvegetablegardeners.com ... opic=556.0

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Brian Gallimore in Allen, Texas
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PostPosted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:49 am 
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...if you are into hydroponics...

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