Watch for Iron Chlorosis
Have you seen yellowed leaves on your camellias, citrus, or gardenias? This often indicates iron cholorosis, which means the plants need iron. Iron chlorosis is very common in our valley soil because our soils are made up of sediments from the Sierras. When the soil washes down into the valley, the iron is heavier and stays put.
A Citrus leaf showing definite signs of chlorosis.
The best and surest way to correct chlorosis is with one of the chelating compunds which hold the iron in suspension until it is absorbed by the plant roots. You can also apply chelated iron as a foliar spray for even quicker absorbtion. Once you correct the immediate symptons, it is a good idea to add Master Nursery Iron Plus to your regular fertilizing schedule. This is a granular fertilizer which can be apply right on top of the soil.
Keeping on a regular fertilizing regimen makes it easy to keep all your plants looking lush, green, and healthy.
Patrick,
We've experienced the 'leave yellowing' a few years ago, and research and dicusssed with soil scientist. He indicated 'Zinc' was main cause. So, we bought a small bag of some Bandini 7 Iron from Scenic Nursery; which contains the 'Zinc' in trace amount. Anyway, this certainly Green Up the the Japanese boxwood. Of course, adequate (...and not to much!) watering of our 30 ft. Japanese boxwood hedge probably helps, too. So, there's more than 1 factor.
P.S. Give Shelby a pay raise for doing a satisfying landscape design job for our 'Grotto' and 'Mini-Vineyard', just finished.
For shading the 'Grotto' ferns, we find using the large patio umbrella placed strategically to shade for most of day works fine.
Posted by: Danny & Donna Gottlieb at June 3, 2004 10:19 AM