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All problems
Moderate
Nutrient Deficiency

Yellowing of lower / older leaves

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

Commonly affects: Lettuce, Basil, All leafy greens, Young tomatoes

What you'll see

  • Bottom leaves yellow first, top stays green
  • Yellowing starts at leaf tip and moves toward the stem
  • Slow, leggy growth
  • Older leaves may drop early

Likely causes

  • Nitrogen deficiency — most common cause in vegetative stage
  • Reservoir not topped up or nutrients depleted
  • EC dropped below crop minimum (e.g. <1.0 for leafy greens)
  • pH drift affecting root function and nutrient uptake

How to fix it (step by step)

  1. 1Test EC — if below target, mix a fresh batch of nutrients at full strength
  2. 2Check mixing accuracy: use 3 mL each of MICRO, GROW and BLOOM per litre; never add concentrates together undiluted
  3. 3Check and correct pH to 5.5–6.0
  4. 4Assess reservoir condition, contamination and crop requirements before deciding on replacement; there is no universal age-only rule

Stop it happening again

  • Monitor water level and solution condition routinely; base top-ups and replacement on measured needs
  • Measure EC and pH daily during fast growth
  • Follow the NaO feed chart for your crop and growth stage

Recommended products

Part 1 · Use with GROW and BLOOM

NaO MICRO

Calcium and micronutrients · Part 1 of 3

View product
Part 2 · Use with MICRO and BLOOM

NaO GROW

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium · Part 2 of 3

View product

Need a second opinion?

Share dated photos, root observations, water readings and your mixing record so our team can assess the problem. Visual symptoms alone do not confirm a diagnosis.

Confirm the cause before treating the crop

Collect observations that distinguish possible causes

Record the first appearance of symptoms, the affected plants and whether old or new tissue is involved. Inspect roots, delivery and visible pests. Compare a healthy plant nearby. Record pH, EC, temperature and recent changes. Several causes may act together; the symptom title is a starting point, not a confirmed diagnosis.

Verify calibration and the complete mixing record. Product links explain nutrient roles; they are not instructions to use one bottle alone. Record your correction and assess subsequent growth because damaged leaves and fruit may not recover.

Escalate safely

Rapid wilting, collapse or spreading root symptoms need prompt checks of flow, oxygen and hygiene. Protect unaffected plants where practical and seek qualified diagnosis. Treatments must be registered for their intended crop and use and applied according to label, including harvest intervals.

When asking for help, provide dated root and leaf photos, water readings and mixing records. Do not combine nutrient changes with disinfectants or pesticides without compatibility advice. An online guide cannot confirm a pathogen or prescribe a universal chemical treatment.

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.