 Plants can suffer from inadequate nutrition, not only in pots but also outdoors in the ground. Northern New Mexico soils tend to have abundant minerals, but be deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus. Despite label claims, most commercial potting soils do not contain enough nutrients to support long-term growth of container plants. A regular feeding schedule, for both outdoor and indoor plants, is crucial to overall gardening health. Payne's carries a wide line of organic and inorganic fertilizers to help you meet all of your plants' needs!
Often the first signs of a nutrient deficiency — major or minor — appear in a plant’s leaves. Here are some symptoms to watch for. In each case, Payne’s can recommend a foliar spray to solve the immediate problem and a fertilizer supplement for long-term care. Bring in a sample of your ailing plant's leaves to either our North Store (304 Camino Alire) or South Store (715 St. Michael's Drive) and let our experts help you figure out just what's the matter and what to do about it!
NITROGEN DEFICIENCY: Leaves yellow and smaller than normal. On some plants leaves may turn red or purple. Overall growth is
stunted or dwarfed.
PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY: Leaves small, with edges scorched, purplish, or blue-green. May fall early. Overall growth is reduced and weakened. Flower and fruit production diminished.
POTASSIUM DEFICIENCY: Leaf tips and edges become yellow and scorched-looking, with brownish-purple spotting underneath.
CALCIUM DEFICIENCY: Darkening starts at base of leaf and spreading outward. Darkened, dead leaves.
IRON DEFICIENCY: Surface between veins turns yellow; veins themselves stay green or turn slightly yellow.
MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY: Leaf centers turn reddish or yellow; dead spots appear between veins.
MAGANESE DEFICIENCY: Upper leaves of plant turn yellow at centers and between veins, with no sign of red.
SULFUR DEFICIENCY: Veins grow lighter in color than the tissue in between.
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