Why Rose Leaves Turn Yellow and How to Fix It
The rose is known as the queen of flowers, also called “yueyuehong” (monthly red), blooming in all four seasons, generally red, or pink, occasionally white and yellow, and can be used as an ornamental plant as well as a medicinal plant. Many people always find their leaves turning yellow when growing them, so what is going on with rose leaves turning yellow? What should be done?
There are many reasons rose leaves turn yellow: if it is caused by overwatering, the plant needs to be taken out of the pot and placed in a cool place to dry, then put back into the flowerpot. If it is caused by improper fertilizing, apply light fertilizer frequently, do not apply large amounts of fertilizer. If it is caused by a virus attack, spray a virus control treatment. If it is caused by improper repotting or soil changing, water thoroughly after repotting and keep it in a cool place for care.
1. Improper watering
If the young leaves are dark yellow with no gloss, the old leaves show little change, the stems are thin and yellow-green, and the new shoots grow abnormally stunted, this indicates overwatering.
The plant needs to be taken out of the pot and placed in a ventilated, cool place, and put back into the flowerpot after the root ball has dried.
There is a difference between yellowing from too little water and from too much water. Yellowing from too little water shows as dry, withered leaf tips or edges, with old leaves turning yellow and dropping from the bottom upward, while new leaves grow relatively normally.
When watering, pay attention to “do not water when not dry”, and water thoroughly to ensure sufficient moisture.
2. Improper fertilizing
In the early growth stage, it is best to apply light fertilizer frequently, mainly using compound fertilizer, applied by the hole method or by watering on.
Never apply undecomposed organic fertilizer or large doses of chemical fertilizer; these two kinds of fertilizer will burn the root system, causing the plant to wilt and die.
3. Viral yellow leaves
If the root system and branches and leaves of the rose are attacked by a virus, this symptom will appear, with leaves that do not spread out flat and become yellow, looking lacking in vitality.
For control, solutions such as virus control and detoxifying agents can be sprayed, but comprehensive care and management should be the main approach; robust plants will have stronger resistance.
4. Improper repotting and soil changing
Although repotting and changing the soil sounds very simple, it is not easy to get the root system and soil to combine tightly. A thin wooden stick or similar can be used to help firm it down or it can be gently tamped down. For the base fertilizer, choose decomposed fertilizer and keep it as far from the root system as possible, avoiding direct contact with the roots.
After repotting, water thoroughly at once, keep it in a cool place for care, water a second time when the potting soil is slightly dry, and thereafter also follow the watering principle of “do not water when not dry“.
After repotting, no fertilizing is needed for a short time; wait at least three weeks before fertilizing.
As for the soil used in repotting, if the soil contains lime powder or is too acidic, this will likewise cause the leaves to turn yellow. If you do not want the rose you grow to become a “yellow-faced woman“, then follow the above aspects to carry out effective care and management, and green will surely spread over every branch and leaf again.