ARS | Publication request: How Does Geranium (Pelargonium) Respond To Specific Nutrient Deficiencies? A Visual Primer For Grower Diagnosis And Correction

Submitted to: Government Publication/Report
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: December 11, 2006
Publication Date: January 1, 2007
Citation: Pitchey, D., Frantz, J., Locke, J.C., Krause, C.R. 2007. How Does Geranium (Pelargonium) Respond To Specific Nutrient Deficiencies? A Visual Primer For Grower Diagnosis And Correction. Government Publication/Report. 894:1. p. 9-15.

Technical Abstract: The genus Pelargonium, which is native to south Africa, is the most popular floriculture crop because of its use as a bedding plant, potted crop, or in hanging baskets (USDA Ag Statistics, 2004). In spite of their popularity and diversity, only the most general nutritional guidelines are available for this crop. Coupled with published deficiency – sufficiency elemental analysis values, characterizing visual symptoms provides a useful tool for growers to identify and correct their nutritional management practices before deficiencies can become problematic in sales. In this article, we summarize the role of each nutrient within plants in general, describe the specific deficiency symptoms observed for geranium, and accompany this text with color photos of typical symptoms for that nutrient deficiency. Finally, we provide a diagnostic key, in table form, of the nutrients used in this series to help learn geranium-specific deficiency symptoms.