Magnesium Deficiency

How do you recognise a magnesium deficiency?

• Yellow-green to yellow discolouring between the veins.
• Yellowing and brown spots on older leaves.
• The plant will create less fruits and flowers.
• The stems of leaves will turn purple.
• The tips of the leaves curl up.

What is the (possible) cause?

• The pH value of the soil or substrate is too low.
• The root environment is too cold or too wet.
• The root system of your plant is underdeveloped.
• The EC value of your soil or substrate is too high.
• There is too much nitrogen, potassium and calcium in the soil or substrate.

How can you prevent it?

Choose a magnesium rich potting soil for your plant to grow in. You can mix a handful of magnesium granules through the soil to achieve this. The soil temperature is also important: keep this around 22°C. Use one of our basic nutrients (like Dutch Pro Soil or Hydro/Coco Grow or Bloom) to reduce the likelihood of a deficiency. Also keep abiotic factors in mind. These include temperature, light intensity, acidity, amount of moisture and wind strength.
 

How can you cure it?

The best way to cure a magnesium deficiency is to simply give more magnesium. Don't give this directly through the soil however, as this may cause a calcium deficiency in your plant. Instead, spray foliar feed like Dutch Pro Cal/Mag. Do you think the problem is caused by an incorrect EC or pH value? Then we advise flushing your system with clean, pH-controlled water.
 

What does magnesium do for the plant?

Magnesium is very important for photosynthesis of the plant, since it is a building block of chlorophyll. This means it helps your plant grow. Many enzymes also require magnesium to fulfil their function.