Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

Some of my plants appear to have boron or calcium deficiency. Does anyone know of any fertilizers or products I can use to fix this? Should I use a foliar spray or apply directly to the soil? Any recommendations on dosage? One of the affected plants has 5 and a half feet of p-stem and the other has 4 and a half. Thanks.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

It is unlikely that the problem is lack of nutrients in the soil if it is just now showing up. If you can find a product with calcium and boron in a chelated form you could apply it foliarly. Keyplex has a blossom formula that has Ca-Mg-B chelates.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

I'll almost guarantee it's too much fert. rather than lack of.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

Probably. In my most recent application, I did lessen the dosage for all my plants. I apply 20-5-30 Banana Fuel monthly. Maybe I should lay off it for a while.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

The question would be then can an increase in calcium and boron help sustain good health with higher levels of fertilizer that would have normally been detrimental?

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

I think it can. My fertilizer also contains boron in it, so it might be calcium deficiency then.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

If I remember right you have clay soil ? Throwing more fertilizer at it won't help.Maybe compost,manures would be a better idea ?

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

I do have clay soil. I guess I'll really lower my fert dosage and add more organics. But the deficiency is really starting to affect my plants. For the time being, I need to supply them with the required micronutrients.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

How hot has it been at your location.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

It's been in the 90s lately, and dry.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

This logic is not sound. The NPK gets transported into the newly forming tissues faster than the boron can be. Lay off the fert altogether, get a professional soil test, and spray with a "complete" micronutrient foliar spray.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

The short answer is yes.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

With those conditions certain varieties always show deficiency symptoms. The plant just can't move those nutrients quick enough to keep up with growth.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

Aye, I would stop changing the environment and get some good data before you make a potentially lethal mistake. I suspect I am not the only person who has killed plants trying to correct a suspected nutrient issue.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

Andreas, Mark's idea will achieve what you want, to grow healthy bananas. If you can get the banana fuel feeding regime down and you know your soil via soil testing, that would work fine, but if you go organic you don't really need to do anything other than feed the soil and the plant will take what it needs, no math or soil testing needed.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

I'm not sure that going organic would necessarily fix the problem. I've looked into the problem at length and it seems to be an issue all over the subtropics. I see it on my bananas and they are growing in soil that is 30% organic matter. My personal feeling is that the problem will eventually work itself out, but if you are looking to be proactive, foliar feeding is an option. You do have to be careful with boron though.

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

That's for sure! From what I understand, the difference between enough and too much is very slight, and boron toxicity is not a good thing!

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

Are there any pics of this "deficiency"?

Re: Fixing micronutrient deficiency
 

2 quick sources are Vigoro "Citrus and Avocado" fertilizer, of "Citrus Growers Mix".