permaculture

[Scott Pittman <pci@permaculture-inst.org>]

At 08:32 AM 6/8/98 +0000, Miekal And wrote
>The second observation is that the growing tips & leaves of some plants
>such as pears, peach,  peppers, gooseberries & others are dark purple
>instead of the usual green.  Is this an indicator of increased UV?
>

The temporary deficiency of phosphorus, which usually occur in the spring
time, when the soil temperature is cool, manifest itself as a purplish
coloring in the leaves. I see it on all my apricot trees, and my recent soil
test confirms low available phosphorus content. I read that usually the
situation becomes satisfactory as the soil warms, because the availability
of P depends upon soil temperature and biological activity. Rock phosphate,
bonemeal, superphosphate, as well as rich in P compost, can help fix the
problem. 

A
Scott & Arina Pittman

Permaculture Institute
PO Box 3702, Pojoaque, NM 87501  US
*********
Ingenio Patet Campus