Cause of pale leaves with veins showing?

12 years ago

This is a hibiscus (Merci Beaucoup from the Cajun group) growing in a very large pot outside. The buds are developing and blooming but one side of the plant has leaves going pale green with veins showing. Cause and treatment please and thanks.

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Comments (2)

AMaji
12 years ago
You are probably having some kind of Magnesium and/or Iron deficiency. Chelated Iron and Epsom Salt will help you.

For Chelated Iron, I use http://www.amazon.com/Grow-More-7451-2-Pound-Organic/dp/B004G1GDK0 . It works for me.

For Epsom Salt, go to your nearest CVS, Walgreens etc and get a box.

Good luck.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
12 years ago
I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to start applying this & that with nothing more than the hope it's going to cure an undiagnosed 'something'. Iron deficiencies in containerized plants are usually pH related, and Mg deficiencies rarely occur until the second or third year a plant has been in the same (commercially prepared) potting soil. Applications aimed at supplying only one or two elements essential to growth are more often limiting than beneficial.

My guess is that your plant hasn't been repotted in a long while and root restriction is the likely culprit, which also explains why the plant is exhibiting chlorosis on one side only. Is foliage also primarily concentrated near apices (growing branch tips)?

Have you been using a fertilizer with a middle number higher than the others? - what fertilizer are you using? Have you ever repotted, as opposed to only potting up?

Al
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I think the OP was trying to ask if the 'pale leaves and dark green veins on a hydrangea' is the result of an Fe or Mg deficiency. It could be either or neither. There are a lot of things that can cause interveinal chlorosis. The effects of high pH, Fe, Mg, N, Z, Cu, Mn, Mo ..... deficiencies are others. Too much P in the soil, a high level of solubles (over-fertilizing), soil too wet/compacted, cold soils + organic sources of N or urea-based fertilizers, herbicide injury ..... If the pH is high enough that deficiencies of the minors are occurring, then steps to lower it are probably a good idea. Adding organic matter might be enough. W/o a soil test it's going to be difficult to nail it unless it can be corrected in a shotgun approach by adding whatever fertilizer you deem appropriate. If you do decide an Fe chelate is appropriate, please consider Sprint 138 ..... expensive, but worth it - formulated for high pH applications. Al
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I have been adding copious amounts of organic matter and cover crops for a few years, and I believe the result is that my formerly acid soil has gotten neutral to alkaline, and this has caused yellowing leaves and poor growth of eggplants, which like a more acid soil. In the same bed, the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and zucchini are thriving, but the eggplant, which use to do great in the same spot, is yellow and stunted. My soil pH, which used to be acid, is now 7.2. This is within the range of tolerance for the other plants, but eggplant like it more acid. So, it is true that adding organic matter can change the pH, and this can have an adverse result on certain plants.
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To start I believe those leaves are a little sunburned causing the yellow tint and even the burnt tips. So, that is no worry, and for the yellow veins I would maybe pick up some blood meal from Walmart if you're that worried, blood meal helps with nitrogen deficiency. A but oregon deficiency causes yellowing leaves, so maybe look it up and see if it matches. Otherwise, I don't think you're plants are looking bad at all, but, if you're worried, $6 on blood meal would help a little.
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Hibiscus need draining pots - they don't like to constantly have wet feet. If you have not repotted - I would check the root ball - make sure its not too bound up. the leaves change shape as they grow, sometimes the edges change. they also get cranky with rapid temperature changes and drop leaves. if you haven't already please take a look at www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com - they have an excellent breakdown of the many ailments a that may be affecting your plant.
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Cause of pale leaves with veins showing?

Comments (2)

AMaji

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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