NITROGEN DEFICIENCY IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
There are several reasons why your plants may suffer with a nitrogen deficiency when growing in an indoor environment . It could be simply that you ’ re underfeeding them and there is not enough nitrogen available , or that whatever nitrogen there is has leached out of the medium due to its soluble nature . Overfeeding of other nutrients could also be your problem as it could see the pH of your medium rising too high , which in turn can prevent your plant ’ s roots from being able to adequately take up what they need . Potassium , zinc , manganese , and chloride specifically , can all block nitrogen from being taken up if they are present in the medium in too high a concentration . Even if your feeding regime is spot on , you could still suffer with a nitrogen deficiency if the root system of the plant is dysfunctional , which can be caused by damage , disease , or a low temperature in your growing medium . A nitrogen deficiency can be typically identified by pale green or yellowing leaves , usually starting with the lower leaves as they are lacking the nitrogen to make chlorophyll . Poor growth of the plant and fruits , which is caused by a reduction in proteins is another symptom , as plants suffering with a nitrogen deficiency will be smaller than average and so will their fruits . Plants with a nitrogen deficiency are also more susceptible to disease and pest infestation . Growing in a hydroponic system or coco can reduce the possibility of a nitrogen deficiency . If you do still experience one , however , then the best course of action is to slowly increase your nutrient feed in strength by one millilitre at a time and monitor your plants until you reach a level that sees the leaves turn a rich green again . You can use an additional nitrogen booster or alternatively , a foliar feed that will absorb the nitrogen directly through the leaf , correcting the problem more quickly . Do not feed via the roots and use a foliar spray , however , as you could end up with the opposite problem — too much nitrogen ( nitrogen toxicity ), that is equally , if not worse than , a deficiency .
SIGNS OF NITROGEN TOXICITY
Symptoms of nitrogen toxicity include dark green leaves , curling leaf tips , clawing or turning down randomly around the plant , yellowing of leaves ,
slow growth and nutrient burn , which can be identified by the very tips of each leaf yellowing and then turning brown . Plants need more or less nitrogen throughout their life cycle with many needing more in veg than in flower . This is why you should always use the specific nutrient feed required , for the specific plant you are growing , at the right stages of the life cycle , whether that is propagation , veg , or flower . To treat nitrogen toxicity , you should monitor your pH and EC levels and decrease your feed ratios by one millilitre at a time until any new signs of toxicity have ceased . Leaves that have badly clawed or yellowed / browned will probably die and fall off , but if tackled in time , the rest of your plant should survive . Flushing your plants with clean fresh water is another great solution ; this is because nitrogen can be very soluble and easily leached out of your medium and away from your plant ’ s roots . Take your pH / EC readings regularly until the levels have come back within ideal range and your plants look like they are on the road to recovery .
“ YOU COULD END UP WITH THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM — too much nitrogen ( nitrogen toxicity ), that is equally , if not worse than , a deficiency .”
50 Maximum Yield