Is this N deficiency?

[pegz]

As others pointed out your pH is out of order, that causes nutrient lockout. I'm guessing its too acidic, for soil a value of 6.5 is said to be ideal, below 6 is too acidic.

[simonH]

Thats weird its out of order as its just a standard high quality potting mix enriched with a some worm castings and compost, and perlite for drainage. I always thougt when fully organic, dont worry about pH as the bacteria will buffer it for you and sort it all out?

[simonH]

Can i use those pH papers to test pH? Juts grab a bit of soil, get it wet and test it?

[ethnoman]

Commercial potting mix is crap and pretty acidic to start with. Compost and worm castings are likely to drop the the pH even further.

 

Use a pH kit to test. Don't test the soil directly, test the runoff.

[Frank Reynolds]

Commercial potting mix works great, for all types of plants, especially ammended for plants specific needs.

 

Can test ph by mixing soil with some distilled water then testing that.

[asterisk]

^ I agree. if you've added compost and worm castings that soil has more than you need. Don't worry about pH until you've started adding liquid ferts.

 

Just leave the little one alone, they really don't need much. It still looks like overwatering to me. really let that soil dry out. they'll perk up.

[asterisk]

On second inspection - have you top dressed with coffee grounds?

 

I don't have much experience applying em like that but i reckon it could be making things a little acidic.

[simonH]

Yeah I added a few sprinkles of used coffee grounds when they were going yellow, thinking it would add more N as I though initially thats what it was!

[pegz]

Should buy a pH kit, like before you do anything else.

[simonH]

Just went to bunnings and bought that $10 pH meter....

 

tested pH in a few parts, all below 5

 

In the pure potting mix its just above 6.

 

How can i raise the pH of my mix easily and quickly?