The Flower Bin

Now is the Time to Treat Iron Deficiency 

 As you’re working in your garden, you may notice some plants may not be as green as you’d expect them to be this time of year. These same plants may be smaller, seemingly lagging behind others in the landscape. The leaves on the Maple tree in the front yard may be yellow instead of bright green. The plants in your garden, the trees and shrubs in your landscape may very well be suffering from a lack of iron, a condition known as iron chlorosis. Iron chlorosis is a common problem of many ornamentals, shrubs, vines and trees.

 Instead of a healthy, rich green look, the leaves of trees, plants and shrubs affected by iron chlorosis are yellow to light green, with prominent veins. In severe cases, iron chlorosis will cause the leaf to take on a scorched look. This yellowing of normally green leaves is due to a lack of chlorophyll, brought on because the plant or tree involved is lacking the micronutrient Iron. It’s important to note that chlorosis is seldom caused by a lack of iron in the soil. Iron is typically abundant in our soils, but heavy, compacted clay combined with high soil pH makes it difficult for many trees and shrubs to take up iron effectively.  Remedies for iron chlorosis include applying iron supplements in a form plants and trees can use, as well as improving soil structure, applying elemental sulfur, reducing the soil pH and building stronger root systems. Iron supplements are available in liquid and granular forms. 

Choose one that has Chelated in the label. Chelated iron is not affected by soil pH levels and as a result, is more readily available to your trees and shrubs. The most effective iron supplement choice is a complex of iron and the chelating agent EDDEHA. These supplements can be applied directly to the soil under the tree; through a series of holes drilled around the drip line; by trunk injection; by foliar application with a sprayer. The method selected depends on where the tree is planted in your landscape. To fix the problem long-term, it is necessary to combine iron supplements with soil improvements. Applying organic materials such as compost and humate will improve soil structure and reduce alkalinity. 

Each of these products is applied to the area under the tree's dripline, three to four times per year. In addition, building a more robust root system will increase water and nutrient absorption potential. This can be accomplished by applying products containing mycorrhizae twice a year. Finally, know what you’re dealing with. This shrub may look like chlorotic, but yellow leaves are normal for a Gold Flame Spirea. If you’re not sure, stop in. We’ll help you identify the problem and come up with the right solution.