Iron Deficiency

If your grow system is short of iron then problems will first appear at the top of the plant. The younger leaves will appear yellow and bleached with the veins remaining their usual green colour. If this becomes severe then the leaves can die off.

Iron assists the plant in producing chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll is an essential substance when plants photosynthesise and use sunlight when producing their own sugar energy.

Iron also helps the plant to produce protein and is known as a coenzyme.

• Fading will begin to appear in the younger leaves
  
• This can lead to the larger leaves turning yellow
  
• In this case the overall growth of the plant will also slow down
  
• If this continues then the leaves will begin to die off
  

There are several possibilities:

• A high pH level in the substrate or soil
  
• Too much manganese in the feed
  
• Too much zinc in the feed
  
• Too little iron in the feed
  
• Stagnated oxygen supply due to overly wet soil
  
• Diseases affecting the nutrient uptake from the roots
  
• A similar effect from a temperature that is too low

• Keep a consistent check on the pH levels of the soil or substrate
  
• Ensure that the calcium levels are not high
  
• Keep the soil moist but adequately drained
  
• Closely follow the feed level instructions of all nutrients
  
• This should ensure that sufficient iron is available for your plants