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Plant Problem Diagnostics

Yellow leaves? Brown tips? Tiny flies? Find out what's wrong and how to fix it — fast.

Moderate
Nutrient Deficiency

Yellowing of lower / older leaves

Oldest leaves turn pale yellow from the tip inward, while new growth stays green.

Affects: Lettuce, Basil, All leafy greens…

Diagnose & fix
Moderate
Nutrient Deficiency

Yellow new growth (tops pale, veins still green)

New top leaves emerge pale yellow with green veins — a 'stained glass' look.

Affects: Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers…

Diagnose & fix
Moderate
Nutrient Toxicity

Brown, crispy leaf edges (tip burn)

Leaf edges and tips turn brown, dry and brittle, often on newer leaves first.

Affects: Lettuce, Strawberries, Basil

Diagnose & fix
Urgent
Nutrient Deficiency

Blossom end rot (dark sunken patch on fruit)

A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of tomatoes, peppers or zucchini.

Affects: Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers…

Diagnose & fix
Low
Nutrient Deficiency

Purple stems and undersides of leaves

Stems and the undersides of older leaves develop a purple or reddish tint.

Affects: Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries…

Diagnose & fix
Urgent
Root Health

Brown, slimy roots (root rot / Pythium)

Roots are brown, slimy and smell like a swamp. Plant wilts even though the reservoir is full.

Affects: All hydroponic crops

Diagnose & fix
Urgent
Root Health

Wilting plants with a full reservoir

Leaves droop and the plant looks thirsty even though the reservoir is full and the pump is running.

Affects: All hydroponic crops

Diagnose & fix
Low
Environment

Green slime / algae in reservoir or on media

Bright green film on the reservoir walls, on top of the growing media, or in the lines.

Affects: All hydroponic crops

Diagnose & fix
Moderate
Pest

Tiny black flies around plants (fungus gnats)

Small dark flies, 2–3 mm long, hopping around the base of plants and the top of the media.

Affects: All hydroponic crops, worst on seedlings

Diagnose & fix
Moderate
Pest

Sticky leaves, curled tips, clusters of tiny insects (aphids)

Clusters of soft, pear-shaped insects (green, black or white) on new growth and the underside of leaves.

Affects: Lettuce, Peppers, Tomatoes…

Diagnose & fix
Urgent
Pest

Fine webbing and stippled leaves (spider mites)

Tiny pale specks on leaves, fine spider-like webbing on new growth, and dust-sized mites on leaf undersides.

Affects: Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers…

Diagnose & fix
Moderate
Disease

White powdery patches on leaves (powdery mildew)

Dusty white or grey patches on the upper surface of leaves, spreading until whole leaves are coated.

Affects: Cucumbers, Basil, Strawberries…

Diagnose & fix
Moderate
pH / EC

pH constantly drifting up or down

pH meter reads outside 5.5–6.0 within a day or two of mixing fresh nutrients.

Affects: All hydroponic crops

Diagnose & fix
Low
Environment

Tall, leggy, weak seedlings

Seedlings shoot up tall and thin with long gaps between leaves, often falling over.

Affects: All seedlings

Diagnose & fix

Still not sure what's wrong?

Send us a clear photo of the affected leaves and roots. Our team replies within one working day with a tailored fix.

A symptom is a clue, not a diagnosis

Inspect the whole system first

Compare healthy and affected plants and note whether new or older leaves show symptoms. Inspect roots, flow, drains, reservoir level and recent environmental changes. Deficiency, pH issues, pests and disease can produce overlapping symptoms; a photograph cannot prove a particular nutrient is missing.

Verify calibration, water volume and mixing records before intervening. Do not use isolated parts, unlabelled pesticides or disinfectants as a universal cure. Keep dated photos and readings and obtain qualified help for persistent or severe problems.

Further reading

These sources support general cultivation guidance, not verified Nana Organics product performance. Current NaO instructions take precedence over another brand’s feeding schedule.