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Star Jasmine new leaves all yellow

peroroncinoperoroncino Posts: 74
in Problem solving
All the new leaves on my pot-grown star jasmine (trachelospermum jasminoides) are yellow/lime green instead of dark green like the older ones, what could be the problem? I first noticed the yellow leaves a couple of weeks ago and after searching online I assumed it had nutrient deficiency due to not enough water during the dry weather - I didn't water it at all rather stupidly - so I started watering it twice a week and feeding tomorite (10ml in 2.5 litres) weekly. But this has resulted in no change of colour despite the plant itself growing and producing buds.

This has led me to believe it could be iron deficiency as that was the second option that came up in the search results. Would you say that is the case? If I add Vitax Sequestered Iron Plant Tonic satchets then will it solve the problem? I only bought it last summer so it hasn't become pot bound yet.


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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I'd suggest no more fertilizer until it's sorted itself out.
    Feeding tomortite when the weather is so cool the plant probably hasn't used it and there may be a build up in the compost which is preventing the uptake of other nutrients.
    If you can just give it rainwater for a few weeks and see how it goes.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    When a plant has been stressed, it is very tempting to give it a feed, but it's a bit like taking an invalid to the gym. They don't need a stimulant, they need a rest. If you really didn't water it at all, it's a miracle it's not dead. And you need to water when it is dry, not so many times a week. The best thing now would be some close attention, tlc and patience. Once it begins to recover you may need to repot or feed, but not yet. The yellow leaves may not recover.
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited May 2021
    I’ve found a (relatively) cheap moisture meter useful for certain plants I want to be careful watering — search for ‘plant moisture meter’ on Amazon. Generally for the roses, hydrangeas, clematis, new plants and potted plants, including houseplants in large heavy pots that I don’t want to keep lifting to check the weight for dryness. Of course it’s not necessary and I guess it doesn’t scream ‘expert gardener’ — then again I’m not one 😁 — but it helps stop me as a beginner from overdoing it with the watering.

    No batteries needed so they last a while. The important thing is not to expose it to actual water, e.g. don’t dunk the probe in a bucket of water or run a tap over it. I bought one in 2016 and it’s still going.
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    A finger is cheaper. Stick your digit into the compost: does it feel wet, damp or dry? If dry, water.
  • peroroncinoperoroncino Posts: 74
    Pete.8 said:
    I'd suggest no more fertilizer until it's sorted itself out.
    Feeding tomortite when the weather is so cool the plant probably hasn't used it and there may be a build up in the compost which is preventing the uptake of other nutrients.
    If you can just give it rainwater for a few weeks and see how it goes.

    Posy said:
    When a plant has been stressed, it is very tempting to give it a feed, but it's a bit like taking an invalid to the gym. They don't need a stimulant, they need a rest. If you really didn't water it at all, it's a miracle it's not dead. And you need to water when it is dry, not so many times a week. The best thing now would be some close attention, tlc and patience. Once it begins to recover you may need to repot or feed, but not yet. The yellow leaves may not recover.
    Oh boy it seems I'm skating on thin ice here. So I shouldn't give it iron supplements right? If the leaves don't recover will that affect the plant's health and flowering this year?
    Athelas said:
    I’ve found a (relatively) cheap moisture meter useful for certain plants I want to be careful watering — search for ‘plant moisture meter’ on Amazon. Generally for the roses, hydrangeas, clematis, new plants and potted plants, including houseplants in large heavy pots that I don’t want to keep lifting to check the weight for dryness. Of course it’s not necessary and I guess it doesn’t scream ‘expert gardener’ — then again I’m not one 😁 — but it helps stop me as a beginner from overdoing it with the watering.

    No batteries needed so they last a while. The important thing is not to expose it to actual water, e.g. don’t dunk the probe in a bucket of water or run a tap over it. I bought one in 2016 and it’s still going.

    Posy said:
    A finger is cheaper. Stick your digit into the compost: does it feel wet, damp or dry? If dry, water.
    I've been placing my finger right above the root zone just brushing the top layer of soil until I find the moist bit. Guessing that's wrong?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    No iron at the moment is best (iron can lock out other nutrients which may cause other problems).
    Just rainwater (if possible) until it recovers then just a half-strength fertilizer every couple of weeks.
    The yellow leaves will probably turn green as the plant sorts itself out.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    peroroncino said:
    I've been placing my finger right above the root zone just brushing the top layer of soil until I find the moist bit. Guessing that's wrong?
    It has to be one or two inches in — only water when it feels dry.
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • luis_prluis_pr Posts: 123
    edited May 2021
    peroroncino I find the moisture meters unpredictable. I watered the plants, waited a while, waited as long as 15+ minutes for the water to get absorbed/drain, tested and the meters would read 'dry', both right after watering and 5+ minutes after watering. I now use the finger method in several spots of the soil but I have to first research the plant to see how deep its roots are.

  • peroroncinoperoroncino Posts: 74
    Okay I will follow your advice re: watering and checking the moisture. Thanks guys!
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Sometimes if you have forgotten to water, the compost dries up and won't absorb water. It runs out of the bottom of the pot and you think all is well, but it isn't. In that case you have to put the whole pot into a tub of water, almost up to the top and leave it until you see moisture on the surface of the compost, then let it drain well.
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