Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
 

I'd like feedback if this is accurate & sufficient? Thanks :^)

Re: Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
 

I believe that nutrient analysis by leaf alone is a poor approach for many plants and situations. I think the best practice is to know (a) the nutrients in the soil prior to planting, and (b) the nutrients you've been feeding the plant, and most importantly (c) the quantity of nutrients you've been providing. When in doubt, send a leaf and soil sample to a reputable lab. The agricultural extension office in your county will point you at one.

Here are my two main concerns:

1. What looks like nutrient deficiency might be nutrient lock-out: the presence of one substance is stopping the plant from obtaining another necessary mineral. A good example is Manganese deficiency caused by Potash lock-out. You can supply the plant with all the Mn you want, but it will not be able to process it.
2. There are many, many symptoms that are so close in appearance that only an expert who has been dealing with illnesses of that plant species would be successful in diagnosis.

Re: Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
 

Not all Nutrient Deficiency symptoms are bad.

I love seeing some symptoms of Calcium Deficiency on all my plants.

All it means is that my bananas are growing faster than the uptake of C.

This is often referred to as a spring flush.

Re: Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
 

Or growing like gangbusters.. :^)

Re: Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
 

Someone here earlier posted a specific-to-banana set of nutrient pix. Real nice. I think from Haifa group, Israel. I can dig it up if you can't find it.

Re: Signs of Nutrient Deficiency
 

As someone in the nutrient sales business, my experience is that nearly all time that home gardeners bring a leaf sample and ask "what's wrong with my plant", the answer is one of the following:

• too little or too much water
• over fertilized to the point of no return
• didn't understand that local insects and fungi would eat their non-local plant
• tried to grow a mineral-loving plant in nearly mineral-free media (e.g., compost)

I know there are retailers out there who are ready to sell you a silver bullet to solve your plant problems. The tragedy is that too many people take the bait, and when it doesn't work they think they are lousy gardeners. The reality is that there are a group of advertisers who would like you not to learn about the cultivation of plants. Notice that in web pages published by a County agriculture extension service, the discussion of any plant includes a section on "Cultural Practices".
:lurk: