Hello Friends!
In today’s episode we will try to identify some common leaf patterns of discoloration
and distortion in various micro and macro nutrient deficiencies and Finally One single
universal solution or fertilizer to treat these problems.
Coming up!
Before we start displaying the various leaf patterns, you must understand some basics
in order to diagnose this problem of nutrient deficiencies in plants and start the right
treatment to save your plants.
Because directly jumping in to adding too many supplements can burn or kill your plant.
Plant nutrients fall into 2 categories: macronutrients and micronutrients.
Macronutrients are those elements that are needed in relatively large amounts.
They include the three major ones - nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, that’s NPK and also
sulfur, calcium and magnesium.
Micronutrients are those elements that plants need in very small amounts, like iron, boron,
manganese, zinc, copper and molybdenum.
Most of the times, except in container gardening, these nutrients may be present in the soil.
So before adding supplements you have to diagnose your condition by checking these 3 problems
or factors: 1.
The problem may be with the roots – not able to absorb or uptake these nutrients.
This can be due to root disease or improper watering.
Because these nutrients are taken up by the roots only in the presence of moisture.
2.
Soil PH may not be right.
Most plants need a PH of around 6.0 for proper absorption of nutrients by the roots.
Having this little PH meter will certainly help you rectify this problem.
You can find related videos on altering soil ph by using natural methods from links in
description.
3.
Pest attacks which can sometimes resemble the patterns of nutrient deficiencies, especially
the sucking pests like aphids.
Make sure you thoroughly examine your plants.
Now having said that, lets jump into identifying the various leaf patterns of discoloration
and distortion and diagnose this problem.
But always Keep in mind that each plant variety is different and may display different symptoms.
And also the damaged leaves may not come back to normal after treatment but the new leaves
will certainly come out healthy and lush after treatment.
Well, Now let’s start with: 1.
Nitrogen Deficiency: you will notice complete yellowing of the older leaves generally at
the bottom of plants.
The younger leaves are often healthy and green.
This is because, nitrogen is a mobile nutrient which moves up from the lower parts of the
plant to the growing ends as a compensatory mechanism and hence the older leaves donate
nitrogen and show complete yellowing including the veins and the entire leaf surface.
The solution to this is simply adding a good nitrogen rich compost like decomposed cow
dung or horse dung.
But before adding, please rule out the problems of improper watering and soil PH that we already
discussed.
2.
Calcium Deficiency: Here the new leaves are affected and may show yellowing, distortion
and even burnt tips due to necrosis or death of the tip tissues.
Blossom End Rot (BER) seen in tomatoes and squashes is the best example of this.
We have discussed this problem and treatment in detail in my previous episode.
3.
Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium is also a mobile nutrient and hence The older leaves
first turn yellow at the edges and surface – called interveinal chlorosis, meaning
yellowing between the leaf veins.
The veins as you can see, stay green, giving the leaf a marbled appearance.
Remember, Magnesium is the central most atom in the chlorophyll molecule which imparts
green colour to leaf.
Foliar Spraying or watering the plant with 1 teaspoon Epsom salt per litre of water will
give great results.
4.
Iron Deficiency: Iron is an immobile nutrient and hence cannot be carried upto the younger
leaves from older leaves for compensation.
So the leaf yellowing is first evident at the tips or the younger leaves.
The pattern is similar to magnesium – the interveinal yellowing.
This is actually a common pattern and most often due to alkaline soil ph which prevents
proper absorption of iron by the roots.
Hence its also called as lime induced chlorosis.
The treatment for this is actually rectifying the soil ph to around 6, if its alkaline.
Another method to bypass this problem is foliar spray of a micronutrient solution or compost
tea like how we have shown in our previous episodes.
Related videos can be found in description links below.
5.
Phosphorous and Potassium Deficiencies: These are very much similar and plants show stunted
growth plus leaf chlorosis like leaves turning darker or purplish.
But this is difficult to identify and depends on the type of plant.
Isolated Potassium deficiency usually exhibits yellowing starting at the tip or the margin
of the leaf with the center being still green.
6.
Last but not the least, you must be aware of a condition called YELLOW VEIN CHLOROSIS.
Here only the leaf veins turn yellow while the rest of the leaf shows normal green colour.
This usually happens in winter or the dormancy period due to reduced nitrogen uptake by the
roots from the soil in low temperatures.
Well, Now the Universal Treatment Solutions for all these problems:
You have two options: First one is Making The Universal Cocktail Fertilizer mix – you
can check this link circled here to learn how to make this organic mixed fertilizer
rich in all nutrients.
And the Second option is Vermicompost – which is rich is almost all micronutrients.
Adding a handful every 15 days will keep your plants healthy and high yielding.
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Happy Gardening!