Correction Methods for Potted Plants with Iron Deficiency and Yellow Leaves
This article introduces methods to prevent iron deficiency in potted plants and solutions for yellowing and withering leaves in flowers like azaleas and gardenias. The editor will provide a detailed explanation for you.
Many hobbyists who have purchased Anku azaleas ask how to care for them. They have experienced that after the Western azaleas finish blooming, the leaves turn yellow and fall off within two months, eventually withering. This problem is usually caused by iron deficiency.
In fact, not only azaleas and gardenias, but many other potted plants can also suffer from iron deficiency if the soil mixture is unreasonable or the local water and soil are too alkaline, such as jasmine and hibiscus.
For some heat-sensitive flowers, physiological iron deficiency often occurs in summer, for example, roses and hydrangeas. So, how should we prevent this common iron deficiency? And how to correct yellow leaves in time after iron deficiency occurs? Here are two suggestions for you.
First, Methods to Prevent Iron Deficiency in Potted Plants
The prevention of iron deficiency in potted plants mainly focuses on two aspects: soil mixture and daily management.
1. -- Reasonable Soil Mixture --
When mixing soil for potted flowers, it is best to match it with the plant's habits. For acid-loving plants like azaleas and gardenias, we should use acidic substrates, and the soil mixture should be relatively complex.
For acid-loving flowers, it is recommended to use acidic peat soil, mixed with decomposed leaf soil and breathable particle substrates. Use fermented organic fertilizer as a base fertilizer when planting. Starting with a good soil environment and regular maintenance later on can easily maintain the soil acidity.
2. -- Pay Attention to Applying Acidic Fertilizers --
Azaleas, gardenias, and other acid-loving flowers should regularly use acidic fertilizers in daily management to maintain soil acidity, or apply iron fertilizers to prevent iron deficiency.
To prevent iron deficiency in potted plants, you can use diluted ferrous sulfate to water the roots or bury it shallowly around the edge of the pot. Ferrous sulfate can maintain soil acidity and also has some effect on supplementing iron.
However, excessive use of ferrous sulfate can damage the soil. A better choice is chelated iron, which can be applied to both roots and foliar spray, and is more friendly to the soil.
Second, Correction Methods for Iron Deficiency and Yellow Leaves in Potted Plants
If potted plants have yellow leaves due to iron deficiency, it is necessary to supplement iron fertilizers to correct the yellowing. The best choice for correcting iron deficiency is to use chelated iron for foliar application to supplement iron elements.
Chelated iron foliar spray is absorbed more quickly, and root irrigation can also be done, but it is relatively slower than foliar absorption.
Many hobbyists use ferrous sulfate for foliar application, but please note that while ferrous sulfate can be used for root irrigation, it should be avoided for foliar application. Ferrous sulfate is very easy to oxidize and often leaves rust-like residues on the leaves, which are difficult to remove and look unattractive.
When potted plants have yellow leaves due to iron deficiency, it is recommended to first use chelated iron foliar spray and then root irrigation. If there is ferrous sulfate available, it can also be used for root irrigation while chelated iron is used for foliar application. This concurrent approach will speed up the correction of yellow leaves. If only ferrous sulfate is used for root irrigation, the yellow leaves will recover slowly.
The above content about the methods to prevent iron deficiency in potted plants and the correction methods for yellow leaves due to iron deficiency, hope it is helpful to you!