I'm dealing with an iron deficiency in one of my potted plants and I'm looking for affordable or DIY solutions. Growing all my vegetables on a balcony means I really don't need large quantities of trace minerals, but the smallest container of iron supplement I can find is 500ml for $15 AUD, and I only need about 30ml per year for this plant. Are there any alternatives to buying a whole new container? Maybe places where I can find smaller amounts of iron supplements or some DIY methods? Thanks in advance for your help!
5 Answers
You could try using rusty metal, like a rusty nail, by putting it in the soil. It might help solve your iron deficiency without the need for expensive supplements. Also, compost usually contains some iron, and decomposing plant materials might have what your plant needs, just not in enough quantity. But if all else fails, using a fertilizer that contains iron could be a good option.
If you're looking for a DIY method, you could boil water with a bit of vinegar in an iron pot. Then, let it cool and use that water to water your plants. It's a simple way to give them a boost of iron!
I doubt the issue is just a lack of available iron. Is your plant a citrus? That could also factor into its health.
Make sure that the problem isn't due to other factors like cold soil or pH issues. Sometimes, a plant can show iron deficiency even when there's iron in the soil. If you're still unsure, maybe just grab a soluble fertilizer that has iron along with other nutrients—it's a safe bet and will work well for your plant.
I'm just curious, how did you come to the conclusion that your plant is iron deficient? That could help narrow down the issue.
I had someone experienced look at it, and then I did some googling which matched the symptoms—light green leaves with dark green veins. I couldn't find a picture of my plant, but this one looks similar to what I saw.
Thanks for the tip! I'm pretty new to gardening and still learning about all the different fertilizers available, so this information is really helpful.