Why Your Geranium Leaves Are Turning Yellow and Solutions
How to fix yellow geranium leaves
If your geranium leaves are turning yellow, don't panic! It's a common problem that can be fixed with a little bit of TLC. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of yellow leaves in geraniums and provide some solutions to get your plants back on track.
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Causes of Geranium Leaves Turning Yellow
There are several reasons why geranium leaves may turn yellow. The most common reason is a lack of nutrients, which can be caused by poor soil quality or incorrect watering. Geraniums are also susceptible to fungal diseases. If you see yellow leaves on your plant, read below for more information on each issue and how to solve it.
Lack of Nutrients
Nutrient deficiencies can be a cause of geranium leaves turning yellow. If you suspect that your plant is lacking in nutrients, the first step is to test the soil. You can buy a soil test kit at your local gardening store or online. Once you know what nutrients are lacking, you can amend the soil or adjust yours. Geraniums thrive in soil that is slightly acidic (ph that is between 6-6.5).
The most common nutrient deficiency in geraniums is magnesium, which is essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium deficiency is usually caused by poor soil quality or can be depleted by having soil that is acidic (low pH). If a magnesium deficiency is a culprit, Epsom salts are a good source of magnesium and can be added to the soil or diluted and sprayed on the leaves of your plant. This is a very affordable and easy treatment for yellow leaves on geranium.
If your geranium leaves are turning yellow due to a lack of nutrients, the best solution is to fertilize your plant. Geraniums should be fertilized once a month during the growing season. You can use a liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for the best results.
Incorrect watering
Geraniums need to be watered regularly, but too much or too little water can cause problems. If you water your geraniums too often, the roots will become waterlogged and the leaves will turn yellow. As a result, root rot can occur. On the other hand, if you don't water your geraniums enough, the leaves will also turn yellow due to stress.
Geraniums are drought-tolerant, so it's better to underwater them than to overwater.
To avoid these problems, it's important to water your geraniums only when the soil is dry. The best way to check is to stick your finger in the soil. If it feels dry an inch down, it's time to water.
Geraniums should be watered at the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. This will help prevent fungal infection. When you do water your geraniums, make sure to soak the soil thoroughly.
If you think you may be overwatering your geranium flower, try letting the soil dry out completely and then water deeply.
Geranium Fungal Diseases
Geraniums are susceptible to several fungal diseases, including botrytis blight, bacterial leaf spot, and Pelargonium rust. These diseases can cause the leaves of your plant to turn yellow or brown and may also affect the stems and flowers.
Botrytis Blight
Botrytis blight, also known as gray mold, is a fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants, including geraniums. The symptoms of botrytis blight are yellow leaves on the plant, along with brown or black spots. The fungus thrives in moist environments, and it can spread quickly through a garden if left unchecked.
To control botrytis blight, it is important to remove infected leaves from the plant and to manage watering carefully. In addition, avoiding overcrowding plants will help to prevent the spread of the fungus.
To prevent the fungus from taking hold, make sure to plant geraniums in well-drained soil and water them in the morning so that the foliage has time to dry before nightfall. With some vigilance, it is possible to keep botrytis blight under control in the garden.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
If you notice that your geranium leaves are turning yellow and developing water-soaked lesions, it is likely the plant has bacterial leaf spot. Bacterial leaf spot is caused by a type of bacteria that thrives in moist conditions.
The good news is that bacterial leaf spot is relatively easy to control. Start by making sure that your geranium plants are not being overwatered. Be sure to water the plants at the base, avoiding wetting the foliage. It's important to keep the leaves as dry as possible.
In addition, make sure to remove any infected leaves from the plant and sterilize any tools that came in contact with the bacteria. It is also a good idea to space out your plants to prevent overcrowding and to increase air circulation.
With a little care and attention, you should be able to get your geranium plants back to health in no time.
Pelargonium Rust
Pelargonium rust is a fungal disease that affects geraniums. The most obvious symptom of pelargonium rust is a yellowing leaf with brown spots on its surface. If left unaddressed, pelargonium rust can spread to the rest of the plant and result in leaf yellowing and falling leaves on the affected plants.
Pelargonium rust is most commonly found in humid climates, and it can be spread by wind, water, or contact with infected plants. The best way to prevent this disease is to water early in the day so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall. Additionally, it is important to remove any dead or dying leaves from the plant to reduce the risk of infection.
RELATED: The Battle of the Budworms: Protecting Flowers From These Pests
These are nice and healthy geranium leaves.
Yellow leaves on geraniums.
Extreme Cold Weather
Geraniums are a sun-loving plant that prefers warm temperatures. In fact, they are native to South Africa. If the temperature drops too low, the leaves of your plant may turn yellow and begin to drop off.
Protect your plants from cold weather by covering them with a frost cloth or bringing potted geranium indoors if necessary. Since geraniums are so sensitive to cold and frost you want to wait to plant them outdoors until all danger of frost has passed.
Herbicide Damage
If you notice that your geranium leaves turning yellow and have a burnt appearance, it is likely that the plant has been damaged by herbicides. This can happen if you accidentally spray herbicide on the plants or if the herbicide drifts from a nearby area.
The best way to deal with herbicide damage is to remove any affected leaves from the plant. If the damage is extensive, you may need to cut back the geranium plant to encourage new growth. Once the damaged leaves have been removed, be sure to water the plants well and give them some extra TLC until they recover.
Inadequate Light
Sunlight is crucial for growing geraniums. If your plants are not getting enough light, they will start to stretch and the leaves will turn yellow.
To prevent this from happening, make sure to plant your geraniums in an area that receives direct sunlight which is at 6 hours a day. If you are growing them indoors, be sure to place them near a sunny window.
Give these beauties the sunlight they need and you'll be rewarded with healthy plants.
Not Fertilizing the Plant Correctly
While most gardeners know that you should feed your plants, sometimes they don't realize the importance of how much to use and when to fertilize.
If you use too much fertilizer, it can burn the roots of your plants and cause the leaves to turn yellow. On the other hand, not fertilizing enough will also result in yellow leaves as the plant struggles to get the nutrients it needs from the soil.
When fertilizing geraniums, it is important to use a balanced fertilizer. You should fertilize your plants once a month during the growing season. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for the best results.
How To Prevent Geranium Leaves From Turning Yellow
Here are a few things you can do to prevent your geranium leaves from turning yellow and practice good geranium care:
- Water geraniums early in the day so that the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
- Remove any dead or dying leaves from the plant.
- Cover plants with a frost cloth or bring them indoors if necessary.
- Plant in an area that receives full sun.
- Fertilize once a month during the growing season.
By following these tips, you can help your geranium plants stay healthy and prevent the leaves from turning yellow.
FAQS About Yellowing Leaves on Geraniums
Should I remove yellow leaves from geraniums?
It is a good idea to remove any yellow leaves from your geranium plants. This will help prevent the spread of disease and pests. Additionally, it will also help the plant to focus its energy on producing new growth.
Will yellow geranium leaves turn green again?
No, this is because there is a lack of chlorophyll in the leaves which is necessary for photosynthesis to occur. Once the leaves have turned yellow, they will not turn green again.
Summing Up Yellow Leaves on Geraniums
As you can see, there are a few different reasons for geranium leaves turning yellow. However, by following the tips in this article, you can help prevent this from happening and keep your plants healthy and looking beautiful. So, don't wait any longer, get out there and enjoy your beautiful plants!
