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Eucalypt mulch and nitrogen drawdown
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Posted by artiew QLD Aust (My Page) on Mon, Aug 8, 05 at 1:35
| Hi All,
I wasnt aware of the impact of tannins in Eucalypt mulch when I started my new garden, and some of my plants do seem to be yellowing as a result. I've applied some Osmocote (Native Plus) and Garden Gold for natives (both much higher in nitrogen than Organic Extra: 15-16) around them and watered it in - is there anyhing else I can do to make them happier ? The mulch is now a little over a month old, but I expect that it wont be safe for at least another month. Live and learn, I guess.
Cheers,
Artie |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Eucalypt mulch and nitrogen drawdown
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| If your mulch was only a month old before you saw the symptoms appear, I doubt if it was nitrogen drawdown that caused your problem. Nitrogen drawdown occurs as the mulch decomposes and it takes a while for the decomposing bacteria to build up. A month at this time of the year would most likely not be a long enough time frame for micro-organs to multiply to such a stage to use up all the nitrogen out of the soil to create these symptoms. It could be that you have had either a Nitrogen depleted soil anyway or that your pH is too high which can lead to an Iron deficiency. The yellowing of the leaves can also be caused by lack of Iron (or excess Phosphorous). An application of Iron chelate or Iron Suphate will solve the low Iron problem. Do a Google search on Iron deficiency in Australian native plants and you will understand what I mean. |
RE: Eucalypt mulch and nitrogen drawdown
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| Thanks Rob - I'll give the iron chelates a shot. Coincidentally, GA had a segment on Saturday night where Pete had to administer this remedy to an unlucky gardener's plants. |
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