[Annen]

I have noticed that the sunflowers in one part of the plot are looking sickly.





It is the same part of the plot where an apple tree died a couple of years ago, and the gooseberry bushes that were there went a funny yellow colour from the middle outwards.



I dug it over thoroughly last year added loads of soil improver and fertilizer and hoped it was cured, but it doesn't look like it.


Has anybody any ideas on cause and how to cure it.


Its a bit sad because I have since planted 3 jostaberries and a pear in that bed.



The weeds don't seem to be affected....

[JayG]

Not sure whether there is more than one problem there, but it looks to me as if the sunflowers at least are suffering from too much competition from the weeds, and may have a nutrient deficiency (possibly magnesium) despite your efforts last year, although having flowered the foliage will be past its best anyway.

May be worth checking the soil pH in case that's contributing to the chlorosis you seem to be experiencing.

[Goosegirl]

Comparing your sunflower pic to the one in Hessayon's book on trace element shortage it looks the same.

[Annen]

Comparing your sunflower pic to the one in Hessayon's book on trace element shortage it looks the same.

Thanks GG.  I have a bag of rock dust, do you think that would help replace some of the trace elements?

[sunshineband]

Rock dust would certainly add some trace elements. Magnesium deficiency can be helped with an application of Epsom salts (Magnesium sulphate) though.

[Annen]

Got some of that too, I'll give them a dose.