How to deal with trace element deficiency in flowers? Sharing flower-growing tips

Trace element deficiency in flowers

Flowers need relatively large amounts of some elements, such as the major elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; they need relatively small amounts of other elements, such as the trace elements magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, sulfur, boron, and molybdenum. The trace elements required by flowers each have different functions. If a certain trace element is lacking, it will cause a disorder in the physiological functions of the flowers, leading to various symptoms, affecting leaf color and flower form, and even weakening the plant to the point of death. The following introduces the symptoms and correction methods for trace element deficiency in flowers, for reference.

1. Iron deficiency. The mesophyll of new leaves turns yellow, but the veins remain green, and they generally will not wither quickly. However, over time, the leaf margins will gradually wither. Correction method: promptly spray the leaves with a 0.3-0.5% ferrous sulfate solution, once every 10-15 days, for 2-3 consecutive sprays.

2. Zinc deficiency. It generally shows as stunted plants, chlorosis of new leaves, green veins, yellow mesophyll, and narrow, small leaves. Correction method: spray the leaves with a 0.05-0.1% zinc sulfate solution; applying 1 gram of zinc sulfate mixed with an appropriate amount of decomposed fertilizer per plant also has a good effect.

3. Magnesium deficiency. Yellowing first begins on both sides of the leaf margins of old leaves and spreads inward. As magnesium deficiency worsens, the leaves show yellow streaks, the leaves shrink, the root mass is small, the leaves are small, the flowers are small, the flower color is pale, and the growth of the plant is inhibited. Correction method: spray the leaves with a 0.2-0.4% magnesium sulfate solution 2-3 times, or apply 2-3 grams of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer per plant.

4. Manganese deficiency. The leaves lose greenness and develop mottled spots; but the veins remain green, and the flower color is poor. Correction method: spray the leaves with a 0.1-0.2% manganese sulfate solution. To prevent phytotoxicity, a mixed solution made with 0.5% quicklime can be added for spraying.

5. Sulfur deficiency. Sulfur deficiency in flowers generally mostly shows young leaves first turning yellow-green (not like nitrogen deficiency, in which old leaves usually turn yellow first), stunted plants, thin and weak stems, slow growth, and inhibited plant development. Correction method: apply 2-3 grams of potassium sulfate per plant.

6. Calcium deficiency symptoms. The terminal buds are easily damaged, the leaf tips and leaf margins die, the leaf tips often curl into a hook shape, and the root system will also die. In severe cases, the whole plant dies. Correction method: water with a 0.2-0.4% limewater solution, for 2-3 consecutive waterings, 20-30 milliliters per plant each time.

Practice has shown that trace element deficiency is generally mostly the result of not changing the soil for a long time, or of applying nitrogen fertilizer alone for a long time. If fertile potting soil can be used and the pot is changed and soil added regularly, and attention is paid to applying organic fertilizer, generally flowers will not lack trace elements.