Arg yellow leaves!

kotoreru · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:21 am Post subject: Arg yellow leaves!

Hi all,

My Chinese Elm has started sprouting yellow leaves. Some of the ones it already has are turning yellow too. I'm sure it's getting enough water, and not too much, so what could it be?

I did add a few drops of "Baby Bio" to its water about a week ago. Could that be it? Will it recover?

I can post photos if it will help.

Many thanks.

Stymie · Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

Baby bio will not be to blame. If the lack of chlorophyl starts in the middle of the leaves, it could indicate a deficiency of magnesium in your medium. This can be easily rectified by disolving a level teaspoonful of Epsom salts in a pint of water for watering. This will correct the deficiency and may have to be repeated about twice a year. Three at the most. This does no harm even if a shortage is not the culprit. My article on feeding covers this in more detail.

kotoreru · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:01 pm Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

Thanks Stymie, and sorry for not replying sooner. Epsom salts...magnesium sulphate it says here. Sounds very sciency, Right I'll get on that straight away. Good to know that the Baby Bio isn't to blame anyway.

Also: should I be feeding the plant a high or low N feed right now?

splendidplumage · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:07 pm Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

I think it would help to post the picture you mentioned. It is always possible that the leaves have gone yellow due to lack of light or water of some other reason which should be more obvious from a picture.

If it is just a fertilizing problem I would try using a fertilizer with more nitrogen for now.

kotoreru · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject: arg

Yes I remembered about a photo literally as I hit the submit key. It's dark outside now and a flash indoors won't show the colours well which is what's important here.

I'll get that photo tomorrow morning in natural light Smile

steve · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:23 am Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

if your tree is sick then don't feed at all.

kotoreru · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:26 am Post subject: photos

Here are a couple of photos taken this morning:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j83/kotoreru/sick2.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j83/kotoreru/sick5.jpg

Note, I left the flash on in one as it actually made the contrast in leaf colour easier to see.

splendidplumage · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

Ah good job you posted the photo Koto because now we can see exactly what is wrong with your tree.

Nothing. It is perfectly healthy. Producing quite a bit of new growth. New growth on elms like this will naturally be either slightly lighter in colour (or red) then change to the same darker green as the rest of the leaves as they get older.
The two leaves in the close up are just a couple of old leaves that are discolouring just before they drop off. It is normal for old leaves to drop off as new ones grow.

Just keep watering it enough and give it a bit of a trim to tidy it up.

As it is healthy you can feed it. Everyone has a favorite. Something low nitrogen (5% or less) to keep the leaves small. I am sure Stymie will agree now that there is a photo that the will be no need of Epsom salts (although if you have already done that it won't harm)

kotoreru · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject: ah!

Excellent! Very glad to hear it isn't in any trouble Smile

And yes those yellow ones in the foreground fell off a few hours ago. I've got some Epsom on order actually, so I'll probably add a little anyway if it does no harm.

Regarding feed: any recommended brands? Preferably something I could get in a Homebase or equivalent...

Many thanks!

emorrin · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

I am not familiar with Homebase since I reside in the U.S. but basically any good balanced N-P-K fertilizer would do. One of the more recommended fertilizers is a NPK of 10-10-10. If you want a fertilizer with low nitrogen, a succulent fertilizer will do. (i.e. NPK 5-10-10). Miracle gro is a brand which I think is pretty universal. It's NPK is a little higher than 10-10-10 but all you need to do is adjust accordingly. For instance, if it is a 20-20-20, then you only use half strength. You don't have to get a perfect 10-10-10 fertilizer but anything comparable will do. Make sure you follow the directions accordingly as over fertilizing can do more harm than not fertilizing at all.

Regarding your yellow leaves, Those are probably just old leaves and new ones will grow to replace them. Chinese Elm leaves can turn yellow if you over water or not have enough light. It could be telling you that a re pot may be in order next spring as well. I would not worry about a few yellowing leaves that much. If more than half turn yellow, then that is another story.

splendidplumage · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Arg yellow leaves!

I use phosmag (4.5:20:10) a granular fertilizer that is easy to monitor.

I have no idea what Homebase sell. Try and avoid buying something that is overpriced just because it says bonsai on it and instead try and find a granular or pelleted slow release fertilizer with 5% N or less as apposed to a liquid fertilizer as it will be easier to tell when it is used up.