Plant problems · Nutrients · Vegetative growth · Usually mild
Sulfur deficiency
What you see
- New leaves turn evenly lime green or yellow, veins included
- Leaf stems may turn red or purple
- Growth slows at the top of the plant
Why it happens
Sulfur moves slowly in the plant, so young leaves show it first. It is rare with complete nutrients; a high pH or a very lean organic soil are the usual causes.
What to do
- Check pH
- Use a complete nutrient that lists sulfur or a small dose of Epsom salt (it contains sulfur and magnesium)
Next time
- Use a complete nutrient line
Easy to confuse with
- Nitrogen deficiency: Lower, older leaves turn pale green, then evenly yellow from the tip inwards
- Iron deficiency: The newest leaves turn pale yellow while their veins stay green
Not sure?
Take a photo of the top leaves in daylight and ask the Grow Doctor, or send it to the grow companion on Telegram.