Problems with My Parsley Near Indian Ocean
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Debby Rowan
Posted on: January 10, 2000

I live very near to the sea on the Indian ocean coast. I have planted a whole packet of parsley seeds and they were growing very well and got very big very quickly. I let them reach about 3 inches(7.5 centimeters) in height with their roots being about 2 inches (5 centimeters) in length. I transplanted them into the ground and now am having problems with their growth. They are battling to grow. They are seeming to get some height but they are very thin and fragile. I also have a problem with the leaves of the small plants. The leaves are becoming white on the edges.

You may have two problems on your hands. Being close to the sea may mean that your soil has a high sodium content and parsley does not like salty soil. The roots probably have a hard time staying alive and the plant can’t take up all nutrients and therefore shows strange deficiency symptoms. Also, parsley grows best in cool weather- around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and it may be too hot for it. Both problems would prevent water from getting to the edges of the leaves (the last of the path the water takes) and the edges therefore just dry out and die. Try growing a plant or two in a large container of the same soil you used for germinating the seeds, water with low salt water and see if that helps. You may have to move the pots into the shade to control temperature.

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