Review of Deficiency Symptoms and Causes
Review of Deficiency Symptoms and Causes:
Growers must be able to ID issues in their plants
Determine issues through a process of elimination of a photosynthesis checklist
- Is there enough light?
- Is there water stress?
- Check CO2 levels
- Temperatures?
- Pest/Disease?
- Nutrient deficiency
If you determine a likely nutrient issue, check for mobile nutrient deficiencies by looking at old growth and new growth.
Nitrogen issues:
- Chlorosis (yellowing) of leaves
- Yellowing of older leaves first
Magnesium issues:
- Interchlorosis (yellowing) between the veins
- To test Mg deficiency, use an Epsom Salt foliar (1tbs/1gallon water) - see results within 24h.
- Also, sodium can block Mg, which often requires flushing your soil.
Potassium issues:
- Chlorosis (yellowing) on leaf margins
Calcium issues:
- Yellowing in new leaf growth (not a mobile nutrient)
- Spotting on leaves is often calcium
Iron issues:
- Yellowing in new growth
Manganese, Boron, Copper:
- Tough to determine for these nutrients
- Warts on leaf surface? Often Boron
Mites (non-nutritional)
- Rolling of leaves and distorted new growth
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