A Beginners Guide: Nutrient Deficiency

Today, Ethan Walter discusses nutrient deficiencies: what they are, how to identify them, and how to treat them.
A nutrient deficiency occurs when a plant is not getting enough of a nutrient for the normal plant functions. Common deficiencies are N, P, K, (three of the macronutrients), and Ca, Mg, and Fe.
In previous videos like this one ( • A Beginners Guide: Ele... ), you learned that nutrients are measured in water with a number called EC. EC is a very useful number, but it doesn’t tell you what ratio of one nutrient to another is. If you have the wrong ratio of one nutrient to another, you could be reading the EC as sufficient, when a certain nutrient is actually too low.
Deficiencies are identified by their symptoms. Some common deficiencies are chlorosis, necrosis, and stunted growth. The pattern that those symptoms occur in are important. Pay attention to where symptoms occur, whether it’s on new or old growth, and what combinations symptoms occur in.
Plant nutrients are categorized as either mobile or immobile in the plant. Mobile nutrient deficiencies occur first in older growth, and immobile nutrients occur in younger growth.
A plant deficiency key is a useful tool for farmers to identify deficiencies. If you’re still having trouble, consult with your local extension agents. Google is not a great way to ID deficiencies unless it’s from a peer reviewed source
Treat deficiencies by supplementing the nutrient that is lacking. You can supplement through your nutrient reservoir or foliar feeding (but be careful; high concentrations can burn the foliage and ruin a crop). Consider making regular supplements or switching suppliers if the deficiency occurs commonly.
Here are some common deficiencies and diagnosis tips:
Nitrogen is the “green up” nutrient. Nitrogen is mobile, so it will affect older growth first, and will cause total chlorosis starting at the tip of the leaf. You will also see stunted growth.
Phosphorus deficiency rarely displays outward symptoms noticeably or quickly. You may see stunted growth and the leaves will begin to get darker and purplish/bronze. Like nitrogen, these symptoms will begin on the old growth.
Potassium deficiencies is slow to show symptoms similar to phosphorus. Over time, you’ll see chlorosis around the edge of the leaf (the margin). Chlorosis will move from the tip to the back, but will leave the center of the leaf untouched. Like nitrogen, these symptoms will begin on the old growth.
Magnesium is a very common deficiency in hydroponics. It’s mobile, so it starts on old growth first. It looks similar to nitrogen deficiency, but will have inter veinal chlorosis instead of complete chlorosis. It also turns almost completely white (in comparison to the light green of a nitrogen deficiency). When you correct it, the old foliage will stay chlorotic, but new leaves will look healthy.
Calcium is an immobile nutrient, so it affects the the top of the plant (new growth) first. Calcium deficiencies show up as necrosis on the margin on the leaf. It will usually start at the tip of the leaf - which gets confused with tip burn - but be splotchy along the margin unlike tip burn.
*Calcium deficiency happens a lot in indoor systems with poor HVAC systems. The more airflow, the more respiration the plant does, allowing the immobile calcium to be sent to the leaf tip. Another cause is high humidity. Try to keep humidity between 40-60%.
Iron is an immobile nutrient, so it affects the the top of the plant (new growth) first. The example used here is basil, and it’s worth mentioning that basil deal with this a lot. The symptom is inter veinal chlorosis in new growth, similar to calcium.
*Iron deficiencies are especially common in symptoms that use UV filtration. The UV light creates a chemical reaction in the plant-ready iron (chelated iron) and makes it precipitate out of the solution. It sinks to the bottom, and the plants can’t use it. When we add iron, we unplug the UV filter for 24 hours. Iron can also be added through foliar applications.
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Timestamps/What’s Covered:
00:17 What are Nutrient Deficiencies?
00:49 Common Deficiencies
02:19 Identifying Deficiencies
04:23 Treating Deficiencies
07:00 Nitrogen
08:45 Phosphorus
10:09 Potassium
11:58 Magnesium
13:49 Iron
16:21 Calcium
21:48 Recap
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Music by: Scott Gratton
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[@WmTyndale]

Beautiful presentation. The explanation of "mobile", "immobile" nutrients and how this affects the progression of the deficiency is the key for diagnosis. Missing almost everywhere else.

[@angelaberni8873]

Your video was exactly what I desperately needed. A million thank yous for your excellent explanations. Even I,a mere novice,can fully understand precisely what you mean. Top marks !!!

[@maryanneswanberg7273]

Excellent video. I appreciate the clear explanation and even repetitiveness of this information throughout the video. As a self-taught gardener without lots of time to study this it was very helpful to me. Thanks

[@kaseyzeltinger7538]

Sir, this is by far one of the most comprehensive videos I have watched in this subject, and I watch from the ol' Cajun farmer (passed away now) to that fast talking Everest guy.

[@carchuleta54]

As I watched, I paused your video and went out to the garden and saw two maybe three deficiencies. Thanks for taking the time to go in so much detail.

[@AntonFairfax]

This is the best video I’ve seen on this subject, so much detail about differentiating the types of deficiencies- thank you!

[@smittyjetson]

I agree. I would have also liked to hear how these deficiencies can be related to PH.

[@milliebatista7088]

extremely thorough & knowledgeable. just wish there were photos to accompany examples of the symptoms as you spoke. But, really quality info from a well spoken educator. Thank you!!!

[@highway1052]

Being new to hydroponics, this is a treasure of information. I did not know what was causing my lettuce to look sick but this explained it well.Thank you Ethan

[@janiceb4679]

thanks for this video. I grow a traditional garden (soil), and have been looking for a video just like this one, to explain deficiencies in depth.

[@BeHumanNotaZombie]

Super helpful video. Its well organized and not confusing like some of the others I've seen. Appreciate your knowledge and the way you shared it.

[@fonegamer5050]

Thank you for not dumbing it down too much and differentiating between similar symptoms

[@accidentallyfasting5768]

This is one of the best videos out there on this topic, imo. I keep coming back to it.

[@dpaulfraser344]

This is the most informative vid I have seen on the subject for beginners. Thanks. Keep talking.

[@rashaidris8708]

The most informative video I've ever seen about nutrient deficiency. Thank you.

[@chrisholbourn2793]

What a FANTASTIC video!!! I’m a seasoned gardener but I learned A LOT!! Thank you SO much for sharing your extensive knowledge.

[@ZipGrowInc]

You are most welcome Chris- Happy it helped. Be sure to subscribe if you haven't already so you don't miss any new content. Thanks for watching!

[@davidevans3175]

Best house plant video on KZbin. Finally some concrete information. Subbing now.

[@eduardmichel3783]

Great video and great explanation. Like it that you take your time and explain in a very clear and understandable way. Keep it up

[@menelson45]

THE best diagnosis and treatment video I've seen, very helpful.

[@KimKim565]

Best guide I've seen so far..

[@keyboredkid]

Good presentation! I have used this info to successfully correct a magnesium deficiency. Thank you.

[@kyleyoung3463]

Hi Ethan, this is by far the best video I have seen on diagnosing a plants health and how to fix it. I am growing lettuce in my basement using aquaponics and it looks like I have a slight calcium deficiency which would make sense since I have poor airflow in my basement with no fan. I am going to set a fan up to see if it clears up. The only thing that doesn't add up is that the dead spots on the tips of the leaves seem to only appear on the tips of the old growth and not the new growth, which as an immobile nutrient should be the other way around right? What are you thoughts?

[@Cronychristian]

It was a good summarised information, it clears almost all the queries about nutrient deficiency, It would be more useful if we could have look closer to the leaves

[@TheCnattu]

Fantastic info! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of the world.

[@blackberryhillfarm941]

One of the best breakdowns on this critical subject!

[@naabellera]

I learned a lot from you. Thanks for explaining all these deficiencies well.

[@MindBodyMuse]

Whew! That was a lot of great info! And yes, it’s a bit wordy... and I agree that side pics/vids of different plants with the same condition would be very helpful. In addition, a link to get that chart from the university would be nice and telling us what foods or natural sources offer nutrients other than just magnesium and iron. If it helps to know, some people have a sensitivity to higher voice pitches... You might consider using a mic that adds more base to your voice! That said, I really appreciate this video. Thanks fir the hard working efforts to keep us better informed!!

[@cindakush2411]

Imagine being asked to change your voice so others feel comfortable. Lol what ever man. This is KZbin not Vegas.

[@honeybadger2801]

Thanks for the Very informative video. I learned more in this 1 video than countless other videos promoting the product of the day. Much Appreciated Mr.

[@lionsorchardnice123]

I simply dont have the words to express my impression. This is the real deal.

[@SSheriff49]

A walk in a garden...would Be helpful. The visual help.With so much info....I felt helplessly overwhelmed

[@alexandertaves2730]

I don’t say this much... Very well done. Useful content that was presented very well. Informative and professional. Thanks mate!

[@markfeltham2504]

Thanks for such a concise, hugely informative tutorial.. my balcony Basil, Orange tree and novelty Hops will benefit so much!

[@8ank3r]

Such a good presentation, I feel like I just took a class. Gonna watch it again to make sure I have it locked in. Thanks for taking the time to make a thorough explanation of deficiencies. Two thumbs up!

[@ZipGrowInc]

Thank you, glad it was helpful!

[@ajhproductions2347]

This is great, thanks for the in depth info!

[@kevinbaart7631]

very well explained. Thank you for that bit of knowledge

[@PuiPyiKunorA]

wonderful and simple explanation of deficiency in plants....thanks for the awesome video

[@seeamerica1]

Excellent video! Best talk on nutrient deficiencies ever on the web! I'ld give it 100 thumbs up if I could!

[@blingblong1]

excellent info i would enjoy seeing a pic to your side of a picture displaying the symptoms as you speak

[@stitch10123]

Thank you for your time

[@daleross2771]

I'm new to growing &&&& you don't show how much and the PH

[@anndixon0053]

Please let us know how to deal with it as well.

[@bebiereyes4530]

@@daleross2771 sweet

[@HouseDadLife]

Great video, I've been looking for something like this for a while to help me with my grows, keep up the great work!

[@ZipGrowInc]

Awesome, thank you!

[@carlreddevil7135]

Excellent video,very informative. Thank you so much.

[@michaelmaragh3919]

Ethan, your practical knowledge needs great photos and videos to make a classic presentation..

[@LiesGov]

he just wants to rant forever.

[@mysteryaction6927]

Perhaps a video on how pH effects deficiencies.

[@holdenrobbins852]

Yes, please!

[@illinoisgrowersclub1099]

Great video. Very informative. This guy knows his stuff!!!

[@gregoryhelton2408]

What a great video!!!!! You are the best point blank!!!! Please keep up all the great works!!!!!!

[@undrachevr]

Great video! Thank you, this helped me out alot

[@dorothyregazzi1737]

normally I watch several videos to correct or learn how to grow something or diagnose a problem. I find that your video is excellent. I do not need to go any further. I will however watch it again and write down what you have talked about. I will also go to my extension site and look for a chart. Thank You

[@brunofriends2100]

This is an excellent video - Thank you! I am looking at the educational version that you sell.

[@tashinesempire6129]

I've seen alot of comments stating that images should have been added. Though that would have been a plus I understood everything. I believe this video was for persons who already have some basic understanding of how the deficiency looks and just wanted to match them to the specific nutrient. Being a college student, I get overwhelmed with slideshow so the talking was refreshing to me. Creator, please ignore the negative comments.

[@dasfluxmusic]

Damn thats more information that I generally find. Well done, please cover more deficiencies.

[@monarchsmarttv]

Hey my friend

[@MrTwisted003]

This was a very thorough video on deficiencies and very good explanations of them, which is more than most do in their videos. But one thing I have yet to see anywhere is a 'completely' thorough and very specific "show-and-tell". Just like if it were a study done at a University or a science project. Where if you have a few examples of a control crop with no deficiencies, a very healthy plant. Then you have a couple of the same type of crops of each deficiency, that were purposely insufficient or withdrawn from the feeding schedule. (e.g. one crop purposely given insufficient amounts of Nitrogen, another insufficient amounts of Mag, etc.) This way you would have a few examples that were very specific and apparent. Also, where some of the examples would have multiple deficiencies that are common together do to lock-out, such as a pH lock-out or other. I feel that video would easily get millions of views and become the "go-to" for everyone who has questions in the subject. Just sayin :)

[@azizurkhan1153]

Very informative and details. I will use your tips in my garden.

[@ortizma13]

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to make these. Question: any tips on identifying what could be going wrong if my leaf colors look good, however the salad greens leaves are weak/limp. Thanks in advance.

[@Don-xz6wz]

This is the best summary I've seen by miles. Thank you

[@terriharrison2095]

My head is now exploding! Thanks!

[@ensurepaintingplusllc]

Hello there great informative video👍🏻 Any deficiency chart or a why to narrow toxicity-down to be able to correct? Your the best and keep up the greatness and let’s make 2020 a healthy/productive/profitable🙏🏻 LETS GET IT!

[@BoukhariMounir]

Hi, really helpful explanations, thank you.

[@ryangonzalez7471]

Very well presented information. Your personality kept it engaging. Well done 👍

[@D.Frasure]

Really good info! thank you so much for sharing your experience. wow! big help!

[@1stMarS]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Wonderful video keep it up :)

[@franciscogarcia-xt5wn]

Gotta give you credit you saved my Serrano and Habanero plants after a week my plants stopped turning yellow from the bottom up.

[@swdw973]

I agree on the better graphics would have helped. That being said. The was an excellent presentation. Everything was well thought out and organized very well. If it was off the top of your head, it goes to show how much you know your subject. I learned a great deal and greatly appreciate this video. This is the first video I've seen where the nutrients were separated into mobile and immobile categories, this was a great help. Thanks!

[@stevemc7211]

A lot of people here commenting on the lack of photos - not necessarily wrong - but this was indeed helpful. I'll agree that photos would be very helpful, or even better would be some real-world examples. I kept expecting him to pick up some of those plants on the table for reference, but they were hardly utilized.

[@keithvnewman7481]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing!

[@Firespark81]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@wmluna381]

This helped me out A LOT. Thank you!

[@chrispitts4884]

Damn.. This is a REALLY good, well thought out. and well spoken video. Thank you sir! I'll be saving this video for future reference as well when I forget a lot of it lol. Good stuff!

[@alexandrakim4567]

Wow, I learned so much from this video about what I have questioned for so long! Thank you very much for sharing quite useful information!! 😊😊

[@ZipGrowInc]

Glad that it was helpful😃 If you are interested in learning more, please make sure to subscribe!

[@ronnie-being-ronnie]

A note: These deficiency symptoms can also be caused by root invading (root knot) nematodes that interfere with the uptake of all essential elements. This is one reason to change the plants you grow to a new place each season. Besides planting a nematode resistant crop, when you pull out an old plant, be sure to get as much root material as you can find if the plant was infested. Do not put those roots directly into compost. One can reduce nematode populations in the soil by spreading the soil out to be exposed to the sun. I do this with the infested plants I pull out, too. I hang them on a south facing fence. In places with bad infestations, it may be best to bring in new soil and restrict planting of susceptible plants to large pots. Continue planting non susceptible plants in the soil and over time the nematode population in that area will decline.

[@GreenEnvySupplyDotCom]

Awesome video!!! Thanks for all the information!

[@elyzavalerio52]

This was really helpful. Thank you!

[@leticiacabrera9797]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It is a nice resource!

[@dalesteiner150]

Dude.....you are a master!!!!!!.....thanks for the education and helping me figure out some of my plants!!!!!!!!!!!

[@adnan_Ok]

Brilliant video. Thank you.Ethan

[@adenbuford7396]

Part of the first step should be to check and adjust the PH of the water along with adding the nutrient if applicable. Certain nutrients lock out at different levels of PH. A well run hydroponic system's PH should fluctiate within the appropiate range so specific nutrients can be optimally absorbed. Just adding more of a specific nutrient can lock out other nutrients.

[@karlar534]

Great video and thanks for the examples.

[@danieldode5378]

Excellent video, mate! Thanks for that!

[@jaugernautgeneticsjohn5244]

Very well put together and through. Thank you.

[@27kjh]

Very good explanation of the different deficiencies and thanks for showing the examples on the leaves.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Glad that it helps!

[@dstack1014]

Very helpful information. Thank you!

[@joyceskelton7431]

Great information but, I need more plants with these defencies or pictures

[@gaylefriedman3773]

As you were explaining about heat, Florida is a Hot State. Plants are use to this weather. I use Nitro when my plants start losing their Lust of Green. Water is a must in Florida. It can keep your out door plants from drooping. Like you said: Too much Heat can take out Iron, Calcium. I don't over water. This also can cause loss of Growth Color. It starts to turn a darkish color of brown. I don't want this. There's age, can't help this matter! Thank You for your very important need to keep Plants Happy

[@marcusharvey5626]

fantastic video, really well explained!

[@joelreyes8642]

Thank you for uploading this helpful video. Having a matrix with all these helpful facts would be great, useful, and more digestible.

[@wolfweyr4990]

Best video on this topic. Period. Thank you.

[@Khristian.J]

you do a really good job explaining

[@SSheriff49]

Good video...lot of info....your written notes were helpful

[@plynpool1]

Great video. I am a newbie so we will see where we go from here.

[@michaelholowati7437]

Thank you so much for your time in this video. I love the information I will be using it going forward with my little lot of personal citrus trees. I am curious if you by chance have an example for a Nutrient deficient diagnosis key you could share. I would love to see what you have so I can implementing on my end and modify or adjust as necessary for my conditions and situation.

[@ZipGrowInc]

Hello Michael! We are working on an updated nutrient deficiency key, the challenge has been that these deficiencies can manifest differently in different species so we are currently working on something a bit more intuitive. Stay tuned, and thanks for watching!

[@METALONLY100]

great video bro thanks for sharing learned alot

[@Blender4tehBaby]

Awesome video. Really helpful. Thank you! Liked and subed.

[@Tipjar333]

Great video. Rich with info. Thanks!

[@AtypicalPaul]

Wow, awesome information :). Thank you.

[@carmenleaf]

Man, lots of info,Some pics will really help!

[@cnibu2012]

thanks sooo much! i have an aerogarden and all of a sudden my basil started turning yellow with tiny spots. theyhave been no help diagnosing what to do. now at least i have somewhere to start!!!!

[@manueljosemackennavial289]

Great job!! Thanks for sharing. I just got started on hydroponic lettuces and I noticed their leafs got some little brown dots, what could be happening? Is everything ok? Should I worry?

[@danjf1]

Soil or Hydro - PH PH PH! and nice to know ppms/ec especially if your starting water is already in 300ppm range.

[@laultimaverdad1187]

VERY THANKS FOR THE VIDEO, IM LEARNING..BEST REGARDS

[@j.lavenus6627]

Excellent explanations ! Thanks !

[@99Jaapie]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@terrygilligan790]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@Goodtimes523]

Very good info - I have never had any problems with plants since I started using compost and my own worm casting plus epsom salt. Cheers man!

[@edgewatersbestguitarist1524]

Epsom salts can kill all the microbes and fungi in your compost and castings bro that'll ruin your plants