Plant has been in this pot 2 years, it’s root bound, fert...
Last watered 1 year ago
1
Hi! Here’s why your Black Sapote most likely has light leaves:
1. Root Bound Stress:
• When a plant is root bound (roots tightly circling the pot), it can’t absorb water and nutrients properly, even if you fertilize.
• That alone can cause the leaves to turn lighter because the plant is “thirsty” for nutrients but physically can’t drink them in well.
2. Iron Deficiency:
• If the newest leaves are light yellow but the veins are still green, that’s a classic sign of iron deficiency.
• If the older leaves are yellowing first, it’s more likely a general nutrient or root issue, not just iron.
3. Fertilizer Timing:
• You fertilized 20 days ago with Nelson Citrus, Fruit & Avocado fertilizer — that’s good and it should have helped, but again, if the roots are cramped, it’s hard for the plant to use what you gave it.
What I would suggest:
• Repot it soon into a larger pot (at least 1-2 sizes bigger). Loosen the roots carefully if they’re tightly wound.
• After you repot, water it well and let it settle for about 2 weeks before fertilizing again.
• If the new growth after repotting still looks pale, then give it a small dose of chelated iron (you can find it at garden stores) or use a fertilizer that lists iron and micronutrients.
In short: The root binding is probably the main cause right now, but iron could also be slightly lacking.
Here’s an easy homemade iron boost trick you can try while you’re getting ready to repot or buy special iron supplements:
You’ll need:
• 1 clean steel wool pad (the plain kind — no soap in it)
• 1 cup of water
• (Optional: a tiny splash of vinegar)
Steps:
1. Put the steel wool into the cup of water.
2. Add just a drop (like 2–3 drops) of vinegar if you want — it helps speed it up but isn’t absolutely necessary.
3. Let it sit overnight. The water will turn slightly rusty.
4. The next day, strain out the steel wool, and use the rusty water to water your black sapote at the base of the plant (don’t get it all over the leaves).
Why it works:
• The rusty water contains very small amounts of available iron that the plant can absorb right away.
Important notes:
• Only do this once every few weeks if needed — too much iron can also be bad.
• This is a gentle temporary fix — it won’t replace a full repot or real chelated iron if the plant needs a stronger boost later.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
1. Root Bound Stress:
• When a plant is root bound (roots tightly circling the pot), it can’t absorb water and nutrients properly, even if you fertilize.
• That alone can cause the leaves to turn lighter because the plant is “thirsty” for nutrients but physically can’t drink them in well.
2. Iron Deficiency:
• If the newest leaves are light yellow but the veins are still green, that’s a classic sign of iron deficiency.
• If the older leaves are yellowing first, it’s more likely a general nutrient or root issue, not just iron.
3. Fertilizer Timing:
• You fertilized 20 days ago with Nelson Citrus, Fruit & Avocado fertilizer — that’s good and it should have helped, but again, if the roots are cramped, it’s hard for the plant to use what you gave it.
What I would suggest:
• Repot it soon into a larger pot (at least 1-2 sizes bigger). Loosen the roots carefully if they’re tightly wound.
• After you repot, water it well and let it settle for about 2 weeks before fertilizing again.
• If the new growth after repotting still looks pale, then give it a small dose of chelated iron (you can find it at garden stores) or use a fertilizer that lists iron and micronutrients.
In short: The root binding is probably the main cause right now, but iron could also be slightly lacking.
Here’s an easy homemade iron boost trick you can try while you’re getting ready to repot or buy special iron supplements:
You’ll need:
• 1 clean steel wool pad (the plain kind — no soap in it)
• 1 cup of water
• (Optional: a tiny splash of vinegar)
Steps:
1. Put the steel wool into the cup of water.
2. Add just a drop (like 2–3 drops) of vinegar if you want — it helps speed it up but isn’t absolutely necessary.
3. Let it sit overnight. The water will turn slightly rusty.
4. The next day, strain out the steel wool, and use the rusty water to water your black sapote at the base of the plant (don’t get it all over the leaves).
Why it works:
• The rusty water contains very small amounts of available iron that the plant can absorb right away.
Important notes:
• Only do this once every few weeks if needed — too much iron can also be bad.
• This is a gentle temporary fix — it won’t replace a full repot or real chelated iron if the plant needs a stronger boost later.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
