Two weeks ago I listed some of the other nutrients besides the key three (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) needed by plants. Here are the rest:
Boron
Boron is like Calcium, in that it affects plants in different ways (I.e. insufficient calcium causes Blossom End Rot in tomatoes and Bitter Pit in Apples). Boron deficiency shouldn’t especially be a problem for tomatoes and tends to happen when soil pH is above 6.8.
In the variety of plants it does affect it shows up as the blackening/death of the young growing points of leaves and shoots or if fruit (apples/pears) are affected corky patches inside the fruit.
Molybdenum
Rare deficiency usually occurring only in low pH soils i.e. 5. Only the poor Cauliflower really suffers from the lack of it, showing their distress through twisted, narrow leaves.
Copper
It’s unlikely that a soil would be deficient in copper. It’s a condition which could occur in peat or sand soils but if it did, Tomato plants would get bluish leaf colouration.
Zinc
Not a common deficiency and associated with a high soil pH. 7.5
So really the good news for Tomato plants is that the important nutrients to get right are straightforward – Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. With Potassium taking on extra importance for fruiting. Plus Magnesium and Iron . And Calcium.
So fresh compost, Tomorite or the like when fruiting and sufficient,regular watering should hopefully do the trick.
