Tomato Health

[pauldreed]

The leaves on my tomatoes appear marked and discoloured, but otherwise the plants look healthy and are romping away.
They are in a unheated greanhouse, and there is no sign of any pests (that I can see!) but all of the leaves are similar, a patchwork of darker and lighter green.
See this photo
Any ideas?

[Bramble_killer]

How long have they been in the pots? If more than 6 weeks, then you have to repot them as the compost will have run out of nutrients.

[SarzWix]

Almost certainly a magnesium deficiency. What size of pot are they in? Are they in their final positions yet? If not, then pot them up a size of pot, and then get some Epsom Salts (from the garden centre, or a good chemist) and spronkle a teaspoon round each plant and water it in.

[Mac]

Hi, just checked my toms and two of them have leaves which are starting to curl in the way and don't feel that good (a bit limp and papery). The compost seems damp enough. They are starting to flower and everything else seems ok. One is a tumbling tom and the other is gardeners delight. Can anyone help - first year growing so no clue really

[pauldreed]

Almost certainly a magnesium deficiency. What size of pot are they in? Are they in their final positions yet? If not, then pot them up a size of pot, and then get some Epsom Salts (from the garden centre, or a good chemist) and spronkle a teaspoon round each plant and water it in.

They are being grown hydroponically, using VitaLink Max, 2 part nutrient mix, which is (supposed!) a balanced plant nutrient including trace elements.
This is the first time I have grown plants hydroponically, and having looked up magnesium deficiency on the internet it certainly looks very similar.
Not sure how to tackle this now? Should I put some Epsom salts in the nutrient mix. Does anyone else grow using hydroponics who can advise please.

[Two_Sheds]

Should I put some Epsom salts in the nutrient mix. Does anyone else grow using hydroponics who can advise please.

I dunno, so I googled: How to Feed Plants in a Hydroponics System

[pauldreed]

I've just ordered 500gms of Epsom Salts from Ebay - it should be with me before the weekend so I'll give it a try.

[SlugLobber]

If you have a Scats near you, or an Equestrian store, they also sell Epsom Salts, in larger quantities and what with the postage, it'll be cheaper, too. I got 5Kg for £5 2 years ago and still have it.