Is Your Plant Nutrient Deficient?

31 Aug Is Your Plant Nutrient Deficient?

As promised in our blog The Nitty Gritty Details of Lawn Health, we are here to help you diagnose the symptoms your plant may exhibit when certain micronutrients are below their desired amounts. Just like humans need a balanced diet, our green friends in the garden also need the right combination of nutrients to live, grow and reproduce. Plants start showing symptoms of being unhealthy when they are nutrient deficient.

Here’s the list of symptoms that plants may experience when they lack any micronutrient:

Iron (Fe):
Symptoms: Yellowing occurs between the veins of young leaves.
Treatment: Any fertilizer that contains ‘Iron Chelate’.

Copper (Cu):
Symptoms: Stunted plant with dark green leaves.
Treatment: Look for something with words ‘Copper’, ‘Cupric’, or ‘Cuprous’.

Boron (B):
Symptoms: Dying terminal buds and formation of witches’ brooms.
Treatment: Anything that says ‘Borax’ or ‘Borate’.

Molybdenum (Mo):
Symptoms: Older leaves and bottom of plant start turning yellow, while rest of plant is light green.
Treatment: Use the fertilizer with words ‘Molybdate’ or ‘Molybdic’.

Manganese (Mn):
Symptoms: Dead spots or patches; ‘frizzle top’ i.e., stunted and deformed palm fronds. Reduced size of plant parts like leaves, shoots and fruits.
Treatment: ‘Manganese’ or ‘Manganous’ are your keywords. Partner applicant: Zinc.

Zinc (Zn):
Symptoms: Rosetted terminal leaves with yellowing between veins of new leaves.
Treatment: A good companion for Manganese application. Anything with word ‘Zinc’.

But remember, overeating isn’t good for our health, and neither is overfeeding the plants. A higher intake of one nutrition causes a reduced intake of other nutrition. So, make sure not to over-treat your soil and plants with any nutrient. Keep it balanced!

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