What Should I Do If I Suspect a Soil Deficiency?Updated 2 days ago
Soil deficiencies can be frustrating — especially when plants show symptoms like yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or discoloration that doesn’t improve with basic care. Identifying and correcting the issue early is key to getting your grow back on track.
Common Signs of a Soil Deficiency
🍃 Yellowing (chlorosis) between leaf veins
🧱 Reddish or purple stems
🔻 Curling or dry, crispy edges
🪫 Slow or stalled growth
🟤 Brown spots or blotches on leaves
These symptoms may point to a lack of key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or trace elements like zinc or iron.
First Steps to Correct a Deficiency
Check pH Levels
Cannabis prefers a root zone pH of 6.0–6.5 in soil. If pH is off, nutrients may be locked out even if they’re present in the soil. Use a soil pH meter or runoff test to confirm.Inspect Watering Practices
Overwatering or underwatering can impact root uptake. Let the top 1–2 inches of soil dry out before watering again.Review Feeding Schedule
If you’re using nutrients, check the NPK balance and make sure you’re feeding appropriately for the plant’s stage (veg vs. flower). Avoid overfeeding, which can cause salt buildup and mimic deficiency symptoms.Flush if Necessary
If you've been feeding heavily and see signs of multiple deficiencies, a light flush with pH-balanced water can help reset the medium.
When to Ask for Help
If you've ruled out pH, watering, and nutrient strength and the problem persists, contact our grow support team with as much detail as possible, including:
Photos of the affected plants
Feeding and watering schedule
Type of soil or growing medium
Any recent changes to your setup
We’re happy to help you troubleshoot and get your grow back in balance. 🌱