What should you do when plants are not growing well?

Simple, just fertilize them...

But wait, do you fellow gardeners know that every plant has a different sensitivity to fertility, and the symptoms of nutrient deficiency also vary.

"Reading the signs and treating the cause" is the main content your editor wants to talk about in this article.

Only by reading the signs of potted plants can you treat the cause

Nitrogen deficiency

At first the leaves appear pale green or yellow, and soon the stems show the same change.

Editor's tip: the change in leaf color usually starts with the older leaves, then gradually spreads to the whole leaf cluster.

Phosphorus deficiency

At first it shows as slow growth, then the leaves develop chlorotic spots.

At the same time the plant's stems are thin and long and rich in wood, the leaves are smaller and darker in color, and fruiting and fruit ripening are delayed.

Potassium deficiency

At first the tips of the lower leaves turn yellow and gradually wither and yellow along the leaf margins, while both sides of the veins and the midrib remain green.

Calcium deficiency

It mainly shows as slow growth.

The plant forms thick, woody stems, and symptoms are most obvious at the top and young parts of the plant.

Zinc deficiency

On careful observation, you will find chlorosis occurring between the leaf veins.

Editor's tip: when a plant is deficient in zinc, its top is affected first and grows slowly.

Boron deficiency

The growing point at the top of the plant dies, and the plant's root system develops poorly.

Editor's tip: fellow gardeners growing vegetables on the balcony, take note - when flowering vegetables bloom but bear no fruit, or bloom abnormally, it may also be due to a lack of boron.

Iron deficiency

The newly grown leaves have already begun to lose their green color and gradually fade to white.

Finally, your editor reminds all fellow gardeners that plants are often not deficient in just one growth element, but are deficient in two or more elements at the same time, producing the outward symptoms.

We need to observe patiently and record carefully; over time we will surely gain insight and become good plant doctors.

Grow on the balcony

Alright, that is all for today. If you fellow gardeners still have any questions you would like your editor to answer, leave a message in the comment section below.

Growing on the balcony, learning never ends.