Plant Nutrient Deficiencies/Organic Cures

[Admin]

Hello All, One of the Master Gardeners from last year put this together
from notes. Thought I would share it with you all. MIchele

Plant Nutrients: (developed by Master Gardener Cynthia Hardy)

Deficiency symptoms and organic sources

N (Nitrogen)—Promotes leaf growth

Deficiency or excess symptoms:

(-) Yellowing of lower leaves
(+) Dark green leaves, cupping, or halo (yellowing on edges of leaf)

Organic Sources:

Compost
Manure
Teas (compost)
Fish Meal (fish fertilizer)
Kelp
Green Manure (leaves, grass clippings)
Bonemeal
Coffee Grounds

P (Phosphorous)—Promotes root and flower growth

Deficiency or excess symptoms:

(-) Reddish leaves
(+) No greening up
(+) Blue green coloration

Organic Sources:

Bonemeal
Fish meal
Rock phosphate
Granite dust
Kelp
Glacial silt


K (Potassium)—Promotes stem growth, disease resistance, overwintering

Deficiency or excess symptoms:

(-) Scorched on edges
(-) Yellowing between leaf veins


Organic Sources:

Wood ash (1qt/100 sq ft)
Manure
Green manure (leaves, grass clippings)
Granite dust or greensand
Kelp
Coffee grounds

Mg (Magnesium)—Promotes photosynthesis

Deficiency or excess symptoms:

(-) Slow growth
(-) Leaves pale yellow on outer edges
(-) Dark spots on leaves


Sources:

Epsom salts
Dolomite lime

Boron—Promotes seed and fruit development, production of sugars and
carbohydrates

Deficiency or Excess symptoms:

(-) “Hollow heart” in root crops
(-) Terminal buds die
(+) Toxicity


Source:

Borax (1T/1 Gal/100 sq ft 1X/3 yrs)

Ca (Calcium)—Promotes cell structure

Deficiency or excess symptoms:

(-) New leaves hook shaped
(-) Blossom end rot


Source:

Egg shells
Dolomite lime

S (Sulfur)—Promotes protein growth, chlorophyll, and
flavor

Deficiency or excess symptoms:

(-) Small spindly plants
(-) Young leaves light green/yellow
(-) Light colored veins
(-) Leaf spotting


Sources:

Manure
Compost
Rainwater