Iron deficiency symptoms show up as interveinal chlorosis, normally starting at the shoot tips, but often occur throughout the plant. Sometimes the leaves turn almost white. Bacopa, calibrachoa, scaevola, snapdragons, and petunia are susceptible to iron deficiency. These are crops that favor media pH below 6.0. Prevent iron deficiency by controlling pH and using an iron chelate fertilizer. The photo here shows petunias beginning to grow out of deficiency symptoms. Notice the darker green color of the new growth. The pH and fertility have been adjusted.
Iron deficiency should not be confused with symptoms caused by Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV), a disease that causes yellow and green mottling, upward leaf curling, stunting and other symptoms.
For more information on preventing iron deficiency, see:
