Nutrient Deficiencies

Nutrient deficiencies occur when a plant is unable to absorb sufficient amounts of one or more elements. Symptoms include changes in leaf color, stunted growth, deformities, or reduced fruit quality. The cause is not always a lack of nutrients in the soil—just as often, the problem is improper pH, root damage, or soil temperatures that are too low. Before fertilizing, determine which leaves are affected first, check the roots, moisture levels, and pH, and, if necessary, conduct a soil or plant analysis.