need help, dying plants, possible defiencicy

these girls were planted May 14th and are just entering the flowering stage. i live in northeast ohio and the black spots started showing up right after we had that intense heatwave thru the midwest. it started at the bottom and is moving it's way up killing all the leaves. reading thru the FAQ's it seems like it might be a manganese def but i'm hoping someone who's seen it could confirm. i don't believe this is a pest problem cause i have 2 pots of older plants well into the flowering phase right next to the pot these are in and they're thriving. these were planted in a different kind of soil than the others so i'm also not ruling out fungus. if it was a pest it would be on all the plants right? they're watered about every other day if it hasn't rained or everyday that it's over 85 degrees. i use earthjuice catalyst and microblast fertilizers. i've been growing every summer for about 4 years and have never seen this problem. if anyone could help me out i would be much appreciative.

does anybody know what this is?

could be a nute issue if you are growing in the same spot for several years w/same fertilizer...causing buildup of something that locked out your manganese.

when i saw some like that it was a totally yellow leaf with brown polka-dots all over


Manganese is involved in the oxidation reduction process in the photosynthetic electron transport system. Biochemical research shows that this element plays a structural role in the chloroplast membrane system, and also activates numerous enzymes.
Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves, necrotic lesions and leaf shredding are typical symptom of this deficiency. High levels can cause uneven distribution of chlorophyll resulting in blotchy appearance. Restricted growth and failure to mature normally can also result.
Mn gets locked out when the pH is too high, and when there's too much iron. Use chelated Mn.
Toxicity:Chlorosis, or blotchy leaf tissue due to insufficient chlorophyll synthesis. Growth rate will slow and vigor will decline.

but if your soil is locking it out you may want to foliar spray

Would love to help but colors are distorted, can you take pix in daylight? Also better closeups? GL HH