PLANT HEALTH CARE
chip type ( not rock or rubber ) of plant residue over them . Second , monitor the soil moisture and maintain it as preferred by the plant . For most , that means moist , not soggy or dy . Third , investigate root arrangement with the use of an air spade . Once the upper soil layer has been excavated , tangled or decayed roots can be removed , which may result in increased vigor of the plant .
3 . CONSIDER APPLICATION OF A PLANT GROWTH REGULATOR SUCH AS PACLOBUTRAZOL . As often seen in sports turf applications , these products suppress the leaves and shoots temporarily , allowing the energy of the plant to be channeled into the roots . More roots usually produce a healthier plant .
4 . FERTILIZATION WITH MACRO AND / OR MICRONUTRIENTS . Fertilization need is based on three factors — the symptoms presented by the needles or leaves , the relative growth rate of the plant in question to others of the same species , and soil testing . While nutrient requirements can be regional in nature , and thus the importance of consulting with local experts , the following is a good head start into the realm of woody plant nutrient supplementation :
Primary nutrient — Nitrogen . While all elements are essential , nitrogen is considered a primary nutrient . The symptoms of deficiency are slightly different for evergreen / coniferous plants and broadleaf / deciduous plants .
Deciduous — leaves are uniformly yellowish green , more pronounced in older leaves . Leaves tend to be small and thin , have deeper-thanaverage fall color and may drop early . The shoots are short and smaller in diameter than usual and may be reddish or reddish brown .
Conifers — needles are yellowish , short and close together . Older plants exhibit poor needle retention and lower crowns may yellow , while upper crowns stay green .
Minor nutrient — Iron . Iron deficiency is a common symptom , especially in soils that are high in pH .
Deciduous — young leaves are yellow with contrasting narrow green veins , often with the older basal leaves remaining darker green . Exposed leaves are bleached and eventually exhibit apical or marginal scorch . Leaves may be small , with these symptoms being more severe during cold , wet springs . The shoot length is usually normal , but the diameter is often thinner than normal . Twig tieback and defoliation usually occur when deficiency is moderate to severe .
Conifers — new growth is short , stunted and chlorotic , while the older needles and lower crown remain green . In seedlings , the cotyledons commonly remain green .
Minor nutrient — Manganese . Manganese symptoms often resemble iron deficiency symptoms to some degree . Determining which is responsible can be difficult .
Deciduous — new leaves are commonly yellow to whitish , with green tissue showing along the veins . Brown dead spots often develop between veins .
Conifers — leaves are smaller and lighter green than normal , commonly with interveinal chlorosis . Shoots are often shorter than normal
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