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Yellowing zucchini leaves

Adelaide (Z8b Canada)

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Update on my previous post....the yellowing zucchini leaves are not getting any better. The new leaves are yellowing as well :(

Both of these are my yellowfin zucchinis that I started from seeds. The odd thing is my gem squash plant right next to it in the same raised bed doesn't have the same issue. Both zucchini plants have multiple male flowers and 2 female flowers so far. Gem squash only has male flowers as far as I can see.

Is this a nitrogen deficiency? But if it is, then I would expect my gem squash be in the same trouble as well? Hoping someone can help...thank you!

Featured Answer

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

3 years ago

i note the perfectly weed free lawn .. is it sprayed.. or fert'd with weed control.. could some have gotten to those two???

Comments (6)

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/why-squash-leaves-turn-yellow.htm

I'm guessing iron deficiency. Your yellow leaves are textbook chlorosis, which is yellow with green veins. Don't know where you are, but podzolic soil is common in far east and far west Canada.
Adelaide (Z8b Canada) thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
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Yeah it is either rootbound in the container (very likely) or it is suffering from salt build-up in the soil from all the MG (also quite likely). You can use MG on containers if you wish, your choice and many do, but you have to use it at a very diluted rate (1/4 strength or 1/2 strength max) or you end up with salt damage to the plants. Just get what fruit you can from it and then let it go. It won't survive transplanting now. And meanwhile start another one. Next time use a bigger container. Dave
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If your soil is depleted in nutrients then sure it can affect other plants that are growing in it. Not by spreading to them, it isn't a disease. Just that what they need is not available. You don't say what you amended the soil with or how much but a one time application of most things is rarely sufficient. Regular feeding throughout the season is the norm. And soil amendments and fertilizers aren't the same thing. Soil amendments are for improving soil structure, drainage, water retention, tilth, etc. They provide little if any nutrients for plants as that isn't their role. That is what fertilizers are for. A professional soil test could be quite beneficial for you in the long run but waiting for the results will be too late to save that particular plant. It needs help now. Remove the older, larger yellow leaves as they will die anyway and give it a good dose of a well balanced fertilizer. Dave
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Adelaide (Z8b Canada)
Original Author
3 years ago
Dan, maybe that's it! I'm near Vancouver, BC, so far west of Canada......how do I add just iron to the soil fast enough so that it'll be absorbed by the plants? The iron mentioned adding chelated iron as a foliar spray....is this something I can make?

Ken, haha you have a keen eye for noticing the lawn....the lawn was actually quite dead before this season and my husband had just reseeded it so certain areas do look quite nice (only selected areas though). We don't spray so couldn't be that (and judging by my neighbour's lawn they don't spray either...lol).
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Go to your garden store or nursery and get some chelated iron fertilizer. Like ferrous sulfate. Apply as instructed. Now, this won't work that well in very alkaline soil, but I suspect that yours is not. If you want to do it as foliar spray, just dissolve the stuff in water. You can look it up. Foliar iron spray just treats existing leaves. If your soil is deficient, new leaves will still have the problem. In fact, best thing to do might be to dissolve the ferrous sufate in water, and drench the soil around the plants.

Note that lots of phosphorous can tie up iron, so if you're already using some high phosphorous fert, back off on that.
Adelaide (Z8b Canada) thanked daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
Adelaide (Z8b Canada)
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Dan! I quickly went to the nursery today and got the chelated iron. I mixed it with water and poured some into the soil, and will also use some as a foliar spray later today once the temperature cools down. How often should I use the foliar spray? I read that I should notice an improvement in 10 days or so - should I spray every 10 days?
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I believe the foliar application rate is once every few days. Be careful that you don't use alkaline water to mix the spray, and look up proper dilution. But I think a soil drench is really all you should need. Avoid spraying on hot, sunny days.

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