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-   -   Leaves started to turn brown (http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1310)

Dann 02-14-2009 07:32 AM

Leaves started to turn brown
 
Question From Dan
Hi I am using an ebb and flow system in a greenhouse. This is my first experience with hydroponics
and I planted tomatoes, pole beans and peas.
I am training them up a string and they all started great the beans really took off and I was able to begin harvesting after about
six weeks.
About this time the leaves started to turn brown and curl up and now the plants are really dying off. I change nutrient every 4
weeks and I thought the problem might be potassium so I add extra potassium, magnesium and iron to the solution but nothing
seems to help.
I pulled up one of the plants and the roots while they are brown in color appear to be healthy is the color an indication of the
problem?
The tomatoes are doing fine and the peas seem all right although I am getting some white mold or fungus on some of the leaves.
Any help you might give would be greatly appreciated.

Ron 02-14-2009 08:06 AM

To Dan:
There are several important things to consider for good, healthy hydroponic plant growth:
A balanced, hydroponic nutrient formulation is the best way to go - especially for beginning through intermediate gardeners.
The TDS level is also extremely important as is maintaining the nutrient solution pH at a level acceptable to the plants grown.
For example: beans and tomatoes require TDS from 500ppm (when seedlings) gradually increasing to around 1500 when
maturing and fruiting heavily. An acceptable pH for these plants is 5.5 to 6.5. If using a liquid formula it should be at least a 2
part formula to contain an adequate amount of sulfur and magnesium - something that single part formulas neglect because of
chemical combination problems.
Aeration of the nutrient solution and plant roots is very important as well. Healthy roots should be white.
Adequate feed frequency is important too. In ebb & Flow systems feed often. This may vary with temperature, size of plants,
etc. but I've found that feeding every couple of hours for a long enough period to fully saturate the roots works very well. If a
growing media with good aeration ability is used it is hard to "over water" because the roots will be properly aerated to provide the very important oxygen they need.
Ron K.hygro@gte.net


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