WSU Extension

Hortsense

Common Cultural Problems
 
Air pollution 
Chlorosis 
Construction damage 
Desiccating wind 
Drought damage 
Fasciation 
Fertilizer burn 
Frost injury 
Hail damage 
Lime-induced chlorosis 
Marginal leaf necrosis 
Morphological changes 
Mosses and lichens 
Needle loss 
Needle tip necrosis 
Nutrient deficiency 
Oedema 
Overwatering or poor drainage 
Plant girdling and circling roots 
Poor pollination 
Salt damage 
Sunscald 
Transplant shock 
Winter desiccation 
Winter injury 



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Caption: Iron deficiency on river birch
Photo by: R. Maleike
  
Common Cultural : Nutrient deficiency
(revision date: 4/30/2013)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
An insufficient supply of mineral nutrients can result in a variety of symptoms on plants. Nitrogen deficiency typically causes a chlorotic yellowing of older leaves. Iron deficiency symptoms are observed on the new growth as interveinal chlorosis (leaves yellow between the veins, while the major veins remain green). High pH soils which bind iron can cause tip chlorosis and necrosis on certain plants. Magnesium deficiency can also cause interveinal chlorosis. Boron deficiency can cause necrotic spotting or flecking on leaves.
Management Options


Non-Chemical Management
  • Have your soil tested for pH and nutrients. Fertilize accordingly.
  • Remove construction debris from soil. Lime leaching from concrete can raise soil pH and affect nutrient availability.
  • Root damage or disease, or trunk or branch injuries such as sunscald, cankers, or bark damage from string trimmers can impede nutrient uptake and distribution.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

Images

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Caption: Iron deficiency on river birch
Photo by: R. Maleike
Caption: Boron deficiency on walnut
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Lily scorch (calcium deficiency)
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Magnesium deficiency on geranium
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Nitrogen deficiency on impatiens
Photo by: R. Maleike
Caption: Iron deficiency on rose
Photo by: R.S. Byther
Caption: Lime-induced chlorosis
Photo by: R. Maleike
Caption: pH-induced chlorosis
Photo by: R. Maleike
Caption: Iron deficiency on juniper
Photo by: R.S. Byther