Many times we notice discoloration of leaves and stem of our garden plants, they seem dull and weak; these are common symptoms of nutritional deficiency. This can also be caused due to over feeding of any nutrient. This condition is an addition to the pest issues and plant diseases hence the overall growth of our plants should be considered while attending them once you start your garden. Managing nutritional deficiency needs some knowledge and understanding about plant nutrition as nutritional deficiency leads to multiple issues.

Nutrients are fed to plants inorder to keep them healthy and grow profitable farms. Nutrients like phosphorous, calcium, nitrogen etc are fed to the plants in large quantities these are hence known as macronutrients. Few other nutrients like copper, zinc, iron etc are fed to the plants in smaller quantities hence they are called micronutrients.

Both micronutrients and macronutrients are fed to the soil, these nutrients reach the plant roots through water from where it is absorbed by the plant. Water is hence a composite requirement for feeding nutrients to the plant. Just feeding nutrients to the plant wont suffice, the PH value of soil is also important as it helps plant roots in absorbing the nutrients. Soil may be acidic or alkaline based on its PH value, even a good mix soil wont be beneficial for plants if the pH values are high.

We can detect and treat nutritional deficiency efficiently by following the certain steps which have proved beneficial.
As your plant seems dull the first step would be to check for any insects, pests or diseases. Pests are easily visible on the plant hence recognizing them before they start nesting is advisable. Plant diseases are also easily curable if diagnosed and treated in early.

Discoloration of leaves and stem is caused due to lack of aeration. Plant roots need good circulation of air around them. If your soil is too compact this will hamper the movement of air to the roots, as a result the roots wont grow properly. Inorder to avoid this situation it is necessary that your soil should be fluffier and it should drain properly. Your soil mix should be good enough to retain moisture, water should travel easily through it and excess water should drain out easily.

Plant growth and yield can be severely effected due to extreme climate. Most winter plants cant survive the summers and so does the summer plants. Plants need not go through a complete climate change practically but the living conditions may also have the same effect on the plant. If a shade loving plant is kept mostly in the sun then theres no chance that it will tolerate the extremity. Hence a proper understanding of the basic plant requirement is very important.

As stated, every gardener should have some basic information about the plants they grow. Feeding fertilisers to the plant is essential for a good harvest however things may get bad if the proportion mismatches. Fertilisers are basically concentrated supplements which provide the much required aid to our garden plants for growing and producing in a confined environment. Using less fertilisers wont be of any good similarly excess fertilizer will cause injury to the plant by scorching and make it dull.

Sometimes the damage is beyond our reach hence it is essential to socialize with local nurseries, plant experts and other gardeners. This helps in seeking immediate remedy and increases our plant growing skills.

Plants are lively creatures, they will face up and downs. While in the wild they search and treat themselves naturally but in a contained atmosphere a gardener has to tend to the needs of their plants. Plants need care and attention once your plants are out of their disease or deficiency it is important to note the treatment or changes incorporated for future reference. The soil used for gardening should be enriched each planting season. Soil will be best if organic matter or compost is added to it, periodic testing of soil is essential as it helps regulate the imbalance before they cause damage.