Hello there fellow green fingers. Today we take a look on one of the questions almost all gardeners have asked at some point of their gardening process.  Read on, lets find answers!

Why is the leaf turning yellow?

• Moisture stress

The most common reason that plants’ leaves turn yellow is because of moisture stress, which can be from either over watering or under watering. If you have a plant that has yellow leaves, check the soil in the pot to see if the soil is dry.

If you believe that the problem is due to under watering, water the plant more often and consider letting the pot sit on a dish to recollect any water that has overflowed, so that the roots can absorb the extra water.

On the other hand, over watering can contribute to the leaves turning yellow as well. If you feel the soil and it is too wet then you know that you have been putting too much water on the plant. In this case the solution is simple -  you should not add as much water or water less frequently.

• Light

Another common reason that plants’ leaves turn yellow is because not enough light is reaching the plant. This occurs because the rate of photosynthesis is limited in low light, but as the light is increased, photosynthesis increases as well.

• Plant nutrition

The yellowing of your plants can also be a good indication of their nutrition. Specifically, if there is an strange pattern to the yellowing, like if the veins on the leaves are green and the tissue is yellow then it is almost always a nutrient problem. Common sources of nutrient issues are under-fertilizing or over-fertilizing, so it is important to use fertilizer at the labeled rate. Frequently people tend to use too much fertilizer on their plants to make them grow faster, but what it actually does is create a toxic environment which “burns” the leaves out causing them to turn yellow.

• Bacteria/ Fungi

In addition to the problems listed above, other conditions that lead to the yellowing of the leaves include infectious diseases (fungi or bacteria), poor soil, natural aging of the plant and plant destroying pests. This can only be over by changing the soil of the plant and repotting it into a different pot of soil.

Why is the leaf turning brown?

1.Don’t confuse brown tips with leaf shedding.

Many plants, such as most palm varieties, shed their lower leaves regularly as part of their natural growth. There is no way to keep these shedding leaves from gradually turning brown, and they can be clipped away once they are thoroughly discolored and dry. A brown-tipped leaf will look green and healthy in all areas except for the brown tip.

2.Flush the plant with distilled water for salt, mineral, or fertilizer burn.

 If your plant isn't being over- or under-watered but still has brown tips, there is probably too much of one or more minerals—most likely salt—in the soil. Excess minerals usually come from hard tap water or too much fertilizer. To flush away the salt or minerals, place the pot over the sink and use distilled water to flush the soil—that is, keep pouring the water until an ample amount runs out of the drain holes. Flush the soil with distilled water 2-3 times over the course of several minutes. To prevent future problems, water the plant with distilled water and reduce your use of fertilizers.

3. Check for small holes that indicate insect infestation.

Small brown spots or holes in your houseplants' leaves can be a sign of an insect infestation. Check the soil and the undersides of the leaves for insects to help diagnose the problem before it gets worse.

If you need help identifying likely pests for your indoor plants, and want advice on how to get rid of them, contact us on 9600120351, remember we are just a call away. Happy Gardening!