Knowledgebase

Garden Growth Halted #834542

Asked June 08, 2023, 12:16 PM EDT

Good morning! Establishing new raised beds with new soil meant I got my seeds/starts in the ground a bit late at the start of May. Everything came up just fine, and gained an inch or two, then just stopped growing. The squash and corn have both faded to a yellow from green. I've been watering daily while things establish, and the soil is an organic garden soil mix with good drainage. Any suggestions as to what I may be running into?

Marion County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Christine.  It is difficult to diagnose a plant problem without photos, and I don't know whether your plants are reacting to environmental factors, lack nutrients, or have a disease.  Your soil may not have been warm enough for them to grow and sustain larger growth.  https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/let-soil-temperature-guide-you-when-planting-vegetables-0
Perhaps your reading the following publication will shed some light on the problem(s):  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/em9027
If you can't figure it out, write back with photos that show the issues.  Thanks!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 08, 2023, 3:16 PM EDT
Good afternoon! I went through the articles, but didn't spot anything, so I went ahead and took some pictures.



Christine Meiwes,
Oregon State University
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2023 12:16:48 PM
To: Meiwes, Christine A <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Garden Growth Halted (#0104468)
 

[This email originated from outside of OSU. Use caution with links and attachments.]

The Question Asker Replied June 11, 2023, 3:32 PM EDT
Your garden soil looks as though it has too many (any) rocks, no organic material and sand.  Where is this from?  Rocks don't retain water or nutrients, so the seedlings both dry out and starve.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 11, 2023, 3:36 PM EDT

Good morning! Here’s the soil: https://landscapeshoppe.com/product/cow-punch-with-pumice/

Purchased at the start of May this year for new beds.

 

 

Christine Meiwes, Office Specialist 2

Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences

104N Nash Hall | Corvallis, OR  97331 |<personal data hidden>

She/They/Him

 

Concur Travel and Reimbursment System Help Sessions via Zoom:
Monday 10-11am; Tuesday 1-2pm; Friday 3-4pm
________________________________________

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River  or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya.  Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (https://ctsi.nsn.us).

 

 

 

From: Meiwes, Christine A <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2023 12:29 PM
To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Garden Growth Halted (#0104468)

 

Good afternoon! I went through the articles, but didn't spot anything, so I went ahead and took some pictures.



Christine Meiwes,
Oregon State University

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2023 12:16:48 PM
To: Meiwes, Christine A <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Garden Growth Halted (#0104468)

 

[This email originated from outside of OSU. Use caution with links and attachments.]

The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 11:42 AM EDT
Thank you.  I have not heard of this, but here are the recommended components of container/potting soils:  https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-media-potting-soil-containers
I'd suggest that you either get a soil test of what you have (https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em8677) or start over with a commercial container soil.  Your "cow punch with pumice" may have the wrong pH or have gotten an herbicide in it that suppresses plant growth.  Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 11:53 AM EDT

Thank you so much!

 

 

Christine Meiwes, Office Specialist 2

Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences

104N Nash Hall | Corvallis, OR  97331 |<personal data hidden>

She/They/Him

 

Concur Travel and Reimbursment System Help Sessions via Zoom:
Monday 10-11am; Tuesday 1-2pm; Friday 3-4pm
________________________________________

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River  or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya.  Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (https://ctsi.nsn.us).

 

 

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 8:53 AM
To: Meiwes, Christine A <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Garden Growth Halted (#0104468)

 

[This email originated from outside of OSU. Use caution with links and attachments.]

The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 12:14 PM EDT
You might appreciate this:  https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9307/html
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 12:31 PM EDT

Thank you so much! This article is very helpful.

Looking  through the photos again for comparison, I noticed small red mites in the soil and on the plants. Are those a pest or predator mite? {I can see if I can get a clearer picture if needed}

 

 

Christine Meiwes, Office Specialist 2

Oregon State UniversityDepartment of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences

104N Nash Hall | Corvallis, OR  97331 |<personal data hidden>

She/They/Him

 

Concur Travel and Reimbursment System Help Sessions via Zoom:
Monday 10-11am; Tuesday 1-2pm; Friday 3-4pm
________________________________________

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary's River  or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya.  Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians (https://ctsi.nsn.us).

 

 

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 9:31 AM
To: Meiwes, Christine A <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Garden Growth Halted (#0104468)

 

[This email originated from outside of OSU. Use caution with links and attachments.]

The Question Asker Replied June 12, 2023, 2:24 PM EDT
https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable/vegetable-pests/hosts-pests/pumpkin-squash-spider-mite

https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/vegetable-seed/corn/corn-seed-mite
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 12, 2023, 2:29 PM EDT

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