Phosphorous Deficiency

Garden Problems , Garden Products , Houseplant Products ,

Phosphorous is an essential element for the healthy growth of plants. Plants that are deficient in phosphorous show burnt leaf tips followed by lower leaves changing colour.

Identify the problem
The typical symptoms of phosphorous deficiency include leaf tips looking burnt and then lower (older) leaves darken and may turn reddish or purple.
Plants absorb phosphorous in the form of phosphates. Phosphates are not easily dissolved in water so are only slowly leached from soils. However, the pH (acidity - alkalinity) of soil can significantly affect the ability of plants to absorb phosphorous. For optimum absorption of phosphates soil should be neutral to slightly acid, in the range pH6.0-7.0.
Phosphorous is is involved in many aspects of plant growth and encourages flowering and root growth.
How to solve the problem
- Check for the tips of leaves looking burnt and for lower leaves darkening and becoming red or purple. These symptoms suggest the plant/s are not absorbing sufficient phosphorous.
- When planting bedding plants, vegetables, trees and shrubs add Gro-Sure Planting Magic to the hole and soil fill. This gives the plants the best root establishment and to provide all the nutrients, organic matter and humus the plant will need for the whole season.
- If the symptoms suggest phosphorous deficiency apply an appropriate organic fertiliser. Each has an ideal balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (N:P:K) plus trace nutrients and humics for each plant type.
- Because phosphorous absorption can be strongly influenced by the pH (acidity - alkalinity) of the soil, check the pH. To make phosphorous most available to the plants adjust the pH to neutral or slightly acidic, pH6.0 - 7.0.
Houseplants
- Ensure your houseplants do not have a phosphorous deficiency by using Gro-Sure Houseplant Pump'n'Feed and/or Droplet Feeder.
- For orchids use Gro-Sure Orchid Pump'n'Feed.
- For succulents use Gro-Sure Cacti and Suuculent Pump'n'Feed.