Deficiency?

[Than]

Some of my plants, especially Heliconia and Ravenala exhibit the same issue: their leaves are pale green, almost yellow. I provide fertilizer as well as worm castings but to no avail. I don't think it's pH cos they are sitting in both acidic and alkaline soil with no difference between the two.

I dug around heliconias and added acidic compost but no difference. 

What could it be? It's more evident on the new leaves of Ravenala. Also happened in my Syzygium jambos which had an issue with root rot in the past.

 

[happypalms]

Too much sun!

[TropicsEnjoyer]

7 hours ago, happypalms said:

Too much sun!

for the heliconia maybe but i’ve seen Ravenala thrive in full sun conditions, so not the overall issue. 

[Than]

I also thought that's the problem with heliconia. The trees that surround them haven't grown enough yet. I thought Ravenala likes full sun tho

[happypalms]

1 hour ago, Than said:

I also thought that's the problem with heliconia. The trees that surround them haven't grown enough yet. I thought Ravenala likes full sun tho

More water perhaps?

[SeanK]

Iron?

[Than]

6 hours ago, SeanK said:

Iron?

I don't think this is the typical iron deficiency look. Also the soil has plenty of iron according to the test I've done. I'll try to add some to see what happens. 

[happypalms]

Trace elements? 

[Than]

I bought chelated Fe because my soil is alkaline and maybe that locks iron. If not that then yes, some trace elements.. 

[happypalms]

3 hours ago, Than said:

I bought chelated Fe because my soil is alkaline and maybe that locks iron. If not that then yes, some trace elements.. 

Soil will lock up once it gets out of balance. By trying to correct certain deficiencies, it can go the opposite direction if your over doing a certain element and misdiagnosis that element. The soils locks up certain micro nutrients thus creating even more problems in nutrient deficiency signs. Soil test are the best chance you have at getting it right to correct the lacking elements. And once it goes pear shaped by adding an element that’s not correct or by overdoing that micro nutrient. It sounds like you may have had your soil lock up.  I do remember a few post  ago a few years backs you were treating your soil when planting. 

[sgvcns]

Heliconia need copious organics for good growth. Mulch and manure will work, eventually. Apply thickly.

They enjoy the foliage being sprayed too. 

[Than]

3 hours ago, happypalms said:

Soil will lock up once it gets out of balance. By trying to correct certain deficiencies, it can go the opposite direction if your over doing a certain element and misdiagnosis that element. The soils locks up certain micro nutrients thus creating even more problems in nutrient deficiency signs. Soil test are the best chance you have at getting it right to correct the lacking elements. And once it goes pear shaped by adding an element that’s not correct or by overdoing that micro nutrient. It sounds like you may have had your soil lock up.  I do remember a few post  ago a few years backs you were treating your soil when planting. 

Indeed I purchased and added acidic top soil. That was in May. Tbh I haven't checked the soil since. But let's say I do and it says that there is sufficient iron. How do I know that the iron is locked or not? The soil test wont say that, right? The soil I purchased was rich in iron 

[happypalms]

On 10/16/2025 at 12:04 AM, Than said:

Indeed I purchased and added acidic top soil. That was in May. Tbh I haven't checked the soil since. But let's say I do and it says that there is sufficient iron. How do I know that the iron is locked or not? The soil test wont say that, right? The soil I purchased was rich in iron 

Only a complete laboratory test can pinpoint the exact lacking nutrients. Perhaps your soil is way to high in iron and that is the cause of your problem, with the iron being to high. I guess the deficiency signs you have are the real signs and the only solution to that is a leaf test in knowing whether the iron is locked or not. But the yellowing in your leaves is a sure sign of something going wrong and iron sounds like the problem child. Perhaps a leaf test is needed not a soil test! 

[Than]

I didn't know leaf test is a thing! Interesting 

[happypalms]

On 10/20/2025 at 6:48 AM, Than said:

I didn't know leaf test is a thing! Interesting 

Than it’s time for a leaf test to identify any problems.

[Than]

Leaf test results are out. Many deficiencies apparently. Fe, Mn, B, N, Zn and P! I'll focus on correcting Boron and Phosphorus first since those affect cold tolerance more..

[happypalms]

On 11/5/2025 at 7:38 AM, Than said:

Leaf test results are out. Many deficiencies apparently. Fe, Mn, B, N, Zn and P! I'll focus on correcting Boron and Phosphorus first since those affect cold tolerance more..

Well there you have it, good old happypalms comes to the rescue. Mind you working in the horticultural industry for 35 years helps🤣 Glad to be of assistance! 

[Than]

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

Well there you have it, good old happypalms comes to the rescue. Mind you working in the horticultural industry for 35 years helps🤣 Glad to be of assistance! 

Haha, indeed, I need to say a big thank you! I didn't even know such tests exist! Also, I didn't know you are an experienced professional!

I just received a NPK 0-17-0 liquid fertilizer in order to provide P to my Ravenalas. On the bottle it doesn't mention anything about foliar spray. Do you know if it would be safe to use it as such anyway? If I just water with it I am afraid it won't help much in my alkaline soil. 

[Navarro]

Debes de tener un pH demasiado alcalino , los aparatos para medir el pH son económicos , regular el pH debe ser tu prioridad 

[happypalms]

40 minutes ago, Than said:

Haha, indeed, I need to say a big thank you! I didn't even know such tests exist! Also, I didn't know you are an experienced professional!

I just received a NPK 0-17-0 liquid fertilizer in order to provide P to my Ravenalas. On the bottle it doesn't mention anything about foliar spray. Do you know if it would be safe to use it as such anyway? If I just water with it I am afraid it won't help much in my alkaline soil. 

Hahaha 🤣I still learn every day something new about plants. Be careful with the foliar spray do a test spray on something that is not to important to be safe, if the manufacturer says no foliar that’s most likely for a good reason. 
Always follow there directions. Your soil temperature will down so not a lot of metabolic activity happening. Best to apply anything in spring to be ready for summer growth. 
Iam no professional just a plant palm lover 🤣 it’s not rocket science but……. 

[Than]

2 hours ago, Navarro said:

Debes de tener un pH demasiado alcalino , los aparatos para medir el pH son económicos , regular el pH debe ser tu prioridad 

Yes you are right. I applied sulfur pellets a month ago and humic+fulvic acids 10 days ago. Also I bought and added acidic soil on top but judging from the leaf test, not much difference... 

[Than]

1 hour ago, happypalms said:

Hahaha 🤣I still learn every day something new about plants. Be careful with the foliar spray do a test spray on something that is not to important to be safe, if the manufacturer says no foliar that’s most likely for a good reason. 
Always follow there directions. Your soil temperature will down so not a lot of metabolic activity happening. Best to apply anything in spring to be ready for summer growth. 
Iam no professional just a plant palm lover 🤣 it’s not rocket science but……. 

Yes I could wait till spring but apparently a lack of P or B can compromise the plant's cold tolerance so I'd like to correct the deficiency now.

[happypalms]

On 11/6/2025 at 11:41 PM, Than said:

Yes I could wait till spring but apparently a lack of P or B can compromise the plant's cold tolerance so I'd like to correct the deficiency now.

Worth a try, a bit like throwing the would ash around prior to winter to let it have a better affect in winter.

[Than]

Btw how often should humic and fulvic acids be applied on very alkaline soil? AI says every month but I'd rather ask someone with experience. My pH is 8. I added acidic soil as I said but it doesn't seem to make big difference, so let's say 7.5-8.