Why Is My Tree Turning Yellow? Common Causes in Perth Gardens
Every season change I can count on many Perth gardeners contacting me asking why is my tree yellow? All trees/plants in stress or distress will show physiological symptoms. The tricky and confusing issue with these are they all look similar. Subtle differences separate appearance but major differences could be the cause.
This can be broken down into several reasons but before anything is done, a visual inspection of the tree/plant, soil structure/pH, the watering source, pH and regime/time. Alongside these initial inspections, we must also account for the biological responses to seasonal changes/circumstances. Previous, current and leading into.
All of these things combined will help in diagnosing why your much-loved tree/plant is turning yellow.
There is a balance that all life needs to prosper. Failing that basic requirement will eventually lead to poor health and possible death. Blessed Mumma and Pappa Earth love life so we are afforded every chance to set the right groundation foundation. Often giving us some buffering. Nature is Cute but not Acute.. Remember this.
One of the most given answers as to why your plant (without having inspected anything) that I hear on radio stations, social media pages and gardening talks, is that the plant is lacking Nitrogen. Most of the time this is a generic fail-safe unhelpful answer to a serious question. Hence the importance of the above inspections. Without knowing these, one simply cannot give a bespoke diagnosis.
In most cases that I tend to, Nitrogen TOXICITY not Deficiency is one of the major contributors. So always make sure you have an expert come and check our gardens’ holistic health. These are the main issues I commonly see.
As stated above, Nitrogen Toxicity. By way of constant loading and overloading of Nitrogenic fertilizers in hope it soon greens up. Many other minerals and nutrients are often overloaded also. Such as – Magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Zinc, Manganese and Copper for the same reason and hope.
Then there is poor soil structure and pH. Both are super crucial and are the reason the above amending did not work but worsened. Having incorrect soil structure (not texture) creates either a poor infiltration of water, following the path of least resistance or worse, hydrophobic conditions. Conversely, it can create a soggy bog from overuse of composts and manures throwing the structural balance off and crashing the system. This means the cation exchange and carbon exchanges, o2 and co2 exchanges, soil microherd
life etc deplete until gone. The tree/plant cannot absorb the correct water and will eventually drown. It cannot absorb and uptake/translocate nutrients, leaves and flowers yellow, dieback and drop, the root systems starts to rot and die from anerobic conditions until death occurs. Incorrect pH and constant loading of nutrients and then correcting the pH will cause a massive rush of nutrients causing major and often deadly, toxicity. The chances that you are Deficient is extremely low despite constant pushing that you most likely are. In my decade plus, I have not come across many deficient gardens as I do toxic.
Overstanding your tree/plants specific needs will help you to correct these out of balanced levels and restore/retain balance again over time. Nature is Cute but not Acute. Slow and steady. Jam Jar testing is my go to way to see your soil’s structure quickly and easily. Observing your jam jar results, aligning that with the tree/plants requirements, making the amendments using Green Manures, Compost at the correct rate (preferably Fungal Compost Teas- Fungal Teas for Fruiting, Bacterial Teas for Vegetables) and time. Time is the friend of the garden. Corner cutting and quickness is the enemy. Do not be fooled by marketing and hype. Patience. Remember Cute not Acute. Chronic. Low and Slow. Cool and Calm.
Another thing that is commonly overlooked as to a causation is the water source you have. What is its chemical make up? What is its pH? Where does that sit with your requirements? Is it too high or too low? If your soil pH is correct but your water source pH is not, this causes pH fluctuations and incorrect pH. Same vicey versa. Making sure both the soil and your waters pH are within the parameters needed will keep your tree/plant green and healthy. Incorrect or inconsistent watering is another major issue. Correct watering will assist greatly in restoring your tree/plant and soils health.
Lastly, we must also think about the seasonal/climatic changes, the environmental situation/changes and the biological factors. Is it too cold, too hot, too shady, too wet, too dry, out of season, on the season shoulder, predormant, post dormancy, incorrect altitude, incorrect geographic location, too coastal, too inland, too tropical, too arid, incorrect humidity, high light refraction/low PAR, heat transfer/thermal loss?
Observation and identification of what is holistically going on with your specific situation will help you correct and establish a healthy, living soil that will sustain life and bring you joy.
Ras Tafari blessings Ras Mark Suburban Farmer