How can you identify which nutrient a flowering plant is lacking from its appearance?

How to identify which nutrient a flowering plant is lacking from its appearance.

Identifying a nutrient deficiency in a flowering plant from its appearance involves the following points:

First, nitrogen deficiency: the leaves turn yellow or even dry up, the leaves are small, and the plant is thin and stunted. The stems are slender and may split, and the flowers are few in number.

Second, phosphorus deficiency: the leaves are dark green and growth is delayed. The areas between the veins of the lower leaves turn yellow, often with a purple tinge, especially on the leaf stalks, and the leaves drop early. The flowers are small and few, the flower colour is poor, and the fruit develops poorly.

Third, potassium deficiency: the lower leaves develop spots, and dead areas often appear at the leaf tips and edges. The yellowed area spreads from the edges toward the middle, after which the edges turn brown and curl downward, and finally the lower leaves and old leaves drop off.

Fourth, magnesium deficiency: the lower leaves turn yellow, and in the late stage dead spots often appear. The yellowing occurs between the veins while the veins remain green, and the leaf edges curl upward or downward, forming a crinkled appearance; dead spots often appear between the veins within a single day.

Fifth, calcium deficiency: the tips and edges of the young leaves rot, and the leaf tips of young leaves often form a hook shape. The root system has already died before the above symptoms appear. The terminal bud usually dies.

Sixth, iron deficiency: the symptoms occur on new leaves, with yellowing between the veins while the veins remain green. Dead spots do not usually appear. In severe cases the leaf edges and tips dry up, sometimes spreading inward to form a larger area, with only the larger veins remaining green.

Seventh, manganese deficiency: the symptoms occur on new leaves, dead spots usually appear and are distributed over the whole leaf surface, and the very fine veins remain green, forming a fine network. The flowers are small and the flower colour is poor.

What organic fertilisers are commonly used for potted flowers? How to make organic fertiliser at home when growing flowers.

Organic fertiliser is very beneficial to the growth and development of flowers and trees. Besides being decomposed by microorganisms to release nutrient elements that the roots can absorb, it can also improve the structure of the soil and increase the soil's water- and fertiliser-holding capacity and permeability. There are many kinds of organic fertiliser, usually divided into two main categories: animal-based organic fertiliser and plant-based organic fertiliser. The main types of organic fertiliser are introduced below:

First, farmyard manure: namely the dung of livestock, mixed with leftover forage or feed. It is mainly rich in nitrogen, and also contains a certain amount of phosphorus and potassium.

Second, chicken and duck manure: chicken and duck manure and the droppings of other poultry are the main source of phosphorus fertiliser, suitable for all kinds of flowers, and especially suitable for ornamental fruit flowers.

Third, plant ash: the ash obtained by burning dead branches and weeds, containing relatively more potassium, is the main source of potassium fertiliser. It is an alkaline fertiliser.

Fourth, peanut bran or peanut cake: contains relatively more nitrogen, and also contains phosphorus and potassium. It is cleaner and more hygienic than animal manure.

Fifth, bone meal: it is one of the main sources of phosphorus fertiliser.

For growing flowers at home, especially in the city, some growers often feel that they cannot get hold of organic fertiliser. In fact, as long as you make a point of collecting it regularly and promptly, you can make organic fertiliser. For example, vegetable leaves, bean shells and melon and fruit peels can be put into a jar or vat, sealed with a lid, and after 2 to 3 months of fermentation and rotting they become an excellent fertiliser. Spoiled soybeans, peanuts and the like after being cooked, as well as fish innards, fish bones and so on, can be put in a jar with water and fermented until rotten, and can also become an efficient, high-quality organic fertiliser with no low content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Be sure to use it only after it has fully rotted.

1 Nitrogen deficiency

The leaves turn yellow or even dry up, the leaves are small, and the plant is thin and stunted. The stems are slender and may split, and the flowers are few in number.

2 Phosphorus deficiency

The leaves are dark green and growth is delayed. The areas between the veins of the lower leaves turn yellow, often with a purple tinge, especially on the leaf stalks, and the leaves drop early. The flowers are small and few, the flower colour is poor, and the fruit develops poorly.

3 Potassium deficiency

The lower leaves develop spots, and dead areas often appear at the leaf tips and edges. The yellowed area spreads from the edges toward the middle, after which the edges turn brown and curl downward, and finally the lower leaves and old leaves drop off.

4 Magnesium deficiency

The lower leaves turn yellow, and in the late stage dead spots often appear. The yellowing occurs between the veins while the veins remain green, and the leaf edges curl upward or downward, forming a crinkled appearance; dead spots often appear between the veins within a single day.

5 Calcium deficiency

The tips and edges of the young leaves rot, and the leaf tips of young leaves often form a hook shape. The root system has already died before the above symptoms appear. The terminal bud usually dies.

6 Iron deficiency

The symptoms occur on new leaves, with yellowing between the veins while the veins remain green. Dead spots do not usually appear. In severe cases the leaf edges and tips dry up, sometimes spreading inward to form a larger area, with only the larger veins remaining green.

7 Manganese deficiency

The symptoms occur on new leaves, dead spots usually appear and are distributed over the whole leaf surface, and the very fine veins remain green, forming a fine network. The flowers are small and the flower colour is poor.