- Scientific Name
- Boron (B)
- Atomic Number
- 5
- Atomic Weight u
- 10.811
- Elemental Group
- Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
- Available Forms
Available forms of Boron (B) for use in Container Nursery Stock
- Boric acid (H₃BO₃, “Boric acid”) – soluble; common foliar/drench source.
- Sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, “Borax”) – soluble; substrate or stock-solution source.
- Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na₂B₈O₁₃·4H₂O, “Disodium octaborate”) – highly soluble; liquid concentrates (e.g., Solubor-type).
- Boron ethanolamine (“Boron ethanolamine”) – liquid organic complex for fertigation/foliar use.
- Sodium borate solutions (“Sodium borate solution”) – soluble borate complexes for stock solutions.
- Boron frits (varied composition, “Slow-release B frits”) – controlled-release in container mixes.
B deficiency in Ribes
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- Scientific Name
- Boron (B)
- Atomic Number
- 5
- Atomic Weight u
- 10.811
- Elemental Group
- Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
- Available Forms
Available forms of Boron (B) for use in Container Nursery Stock
- Boric acid (H₃BO₃, “Boric acid”) – soluble; common foliar/drench source.
- Sodium tetraborate decahydrate (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, “Borax”) – soluble; substrate or stock-solution source.
- Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (Na₂B₈O₁₃·4H₂O, “Disodium octaborate”) – highly soluble; liquid concentrates (e.g., Solubor-type).
- Boron ethanolamine (“Boron ethanolamine”) – liquid organic complex for fertigation/foliar use.
- Sodium borate solutions (“Sodium borate solution”) – soluble borate complexes for stock solutions.
- Boron frits (varied composition, “Slow-release B frits”) – controlled-release in container mixes.
Boron (B) Deficiency in Ribes – Container Nursery Stock
Symptoms
- Death or distortion of growing points; new leaves thick, brittle or malformed.
- Short, bushy plants with cracked or corky stems and petioles.
- Flower and bud abortion; poor pollen viability.
- Interveinal chlorosis may follow on young leaves in severe cases.
Causes
- Low B in fertilizer/water or excessive leaching in soilless mixes.
- Over-liming and high pH reducing B availability in containers.
- Antagonism with high Ca or K and low root-zone moisture limiting B transport.
- Drought or erratic irrigation reducing B delivery to meristems.
Correction
- Apply low-rate boron via boric acid or sodium borate (e.g., Solubor) as a drench or foliar spray; distribute uniformly.
- Target 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance, adjusting by tissue analysis.
- Restore even irrigation to prevent under-delivery to growing tips.
- Adjust pH to 5.5–6.0 to optimize availability in soilless mixes.
Prevention
- Maintain 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance and check tissue levels routinely.
- Keep substrate pH 5.5–6.0 and avoid over-liming.
- Provide uniform moisture and avoid drought stress in containers.
- Use complete micronutrient blends containing B at planting for slow, even release.
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Boron (B) Deficiency in Ribes – Container Nursery Stock
Symptoms
- Death or distortion of growing points; new leaves thick, brittle or malformed.
- Short, bushy plants with cracked or corky stems and petioles.
- Flower and bud abortion; poor pollen viability.
- Interveinal chlorosis may follow on young leaves in severe cases.
Causes
- Low B in fertilizer/water or excessive leaching in soilless mixes.
- Over-liming and high pH reducing B availability in containers.
- Antagonism with high Ca or K and low root-zone moisture limiting B transport.
- Drought or erratic irrigation reducing B delivery to meristems.
Correction
- Apply low-rate boron via boric acid or sodium borate (e.g., Solubor) as a drench or foliar spray; distribute uniformly.
- Target 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance, adjusting by tissue analysis.
- Restore even irrigation to prevent under-delivery to growing tips.
- Adjust pH to 5.5–6.0 to optimize availability in soilless mixes.
Prevention
- Maintain 0.3–0.5 ppm B in fertigation for maintenance and check tissue levels routinely.
- Keep substrate pH 5.5–6.0 and avoid over-liming.
- Provide uniform moisture and avoid drought stress in containers.
- Use complete micronutrient blends containing B at planting for slow, even release.

