Chlorosis and how to fix it

Chlorosis is not a death sentence for your plants. With prompt identification and the right interventions, you can restore your plants to their lush, vibrant selves.

Plants have a language of their own, communicating their well-being to us gardeners through the colour and vitality of their leaves. Among the many signals that plants send in this way, a pale or yellow splotchy hue is a distress call no gardener wants to see. Enter chlorosis, a term you may have heard before, but might not fully understand.

What is chlorosis?

Chlorosis refers to the condition that arises when plants cannot produce sufficient amounts of chlorophyll – the pigment responsible for the green colour in plants. The primary culprit? A deficiency in essential nutrients. Iron is one of the most common deficiencies that can lead to chlorosis, but occasionally a lack of nitrogen, manganese, or zinc can also be the cause.

Chlorophyll plays a pivotal role in photosynthesis. This is the process by which plants convert light energy, typically from the sun, into chemical energy to fuel their growth. Without adequate chlorophyll, photosynthesis is compromised, stunting the plant’s growth. That’s why it’s important to look out for signs of this issue and tackle them as soon as they are spotted.

identifying the signs

The initial signs of chlorosis are easy to spot:

• Leaves develop a pale green or yellowish hue, often starting between the veins while the veins themselves remain green. Entire leaves turning yellow may indicate a watering issue, or simply old age.
• In severe cases, leaves might develop brown spots or even fall off prematurely.
• Growth becomes stunted, and plants may produce fewer flowers or fruits.

READ MORE: Treat Your Plants To A Spa Day

What causes chlorosis?

While nutrient deficiency is the primary driver of chlorosis, understanding the root causes of these deficiencies within plants will help you address the issue more effectively. For example, dense soil can restrict root growth, preventing them from accessing the essential nutrients, even if they are present in the soil. Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot, inhibiting nutrient uptake from the roots throughout the plant. And pH even plays a role – alkaline soils can bind certain nutrients, making them unavailable to plants. Identifying the cause, rather than using a blanket approach, will help you prevent chlorosis in the future.

Solutions and preventative measures

There are many products on the market to resolve nutrient issues that may lead to chlorosis. Since iron is the primary culprit, adding iron chelate to the soil can greatly improve conditions. General plant foods like Kelpak and Vitamino can also boost nutrients to resolve chlorosis. If the issue is common in your garden, you may want to invest in a pH meter to test conditions and adjust as needed.

If soil compaction is a challenge, regular aeration can provide relief, ensuring roots have room to grow and breathe. Amend soil with compost to boost health and add extra materials to improve drainage as needed. In cases where soil pH leans towards the alkaline side, adding sulphur or organic matter can lower pH to make the necessary nutrients available to the plants. Lastly, it’s crucial to water correctly, avoiding overwatering that can lead to root rot.