Symptoms

Leaves turn yellow - starting at the margins and spreading up between the veins. A red and orange coloration may also be seen. Young growth is usually affected first. Brown patches may also appear at the leaf margins.

Cause

Acid loving/lime hating plants, such as camellias, have difficulty absorbing certain iron and maganese elements from the soil if growing in a limy soil. The yellowing is a symptom of an iron deficiency.

Harm

As the leaves start to yellow, the plants ability to produce food is diminished as the chlorophyll (green pigment) necessary for photosynthesis is lost. The plant will be severely weakened and premature death will occur.

Treatment

• Try to make sure you grow the right plants for your soil type. You can test your soil very easily using a basic soil testing kit. Feed affected plants with specialised fertilisers containing chelated iron. Use ericaceous compost for container plants.