How to treat Eggplant with pale leaves?

[balaji27]

Hello Team,

Please advise what's the issue with my egg plant, why the leaves and some vegetables are pale yellow coloured and fix it?

Thanks 

Balaji.

 

 

 

[JacobZ · Accepted solution]

Hi @balaji27,

The discolouration on the leaf in your first image, where the surface of the leaf is yellow, and the veins remain green, is an indication of a condition called chlorosis. This happens when the plant cannot take up or use essential nutrients, most commonly iron, magnesium, or nitrogen. When the deficiency is mild, the yellowing may appear only between the leaf veins. When it becomes more severe, entire leaves can turn yellow, and growth slows.

Poor soil drainage, compacted soil, or consistently wet roots can trigger chlorosis because the plant is unable to absorb nutrients even if they are present in the soil. High soil pH can also lock nutrients out, especially iron. Environmental stress, such as cold soil, root damage, or overwatering, can make the symptoms more noticeable.

I would start by testing the pH of the soil to ensure it is in the right range, between about six and six and a half. If adjustments need to be made, then you can use How To Test And Adjust Your Soil Ph as a guide for balancing it.

Subsequently, you should assess whether the soil is draining adequately. If not, then aerating the soil with a garden fork and adding compost to improve soil structure and encourage beneficial insects will be worthwhile.

Once the soil is in the correct pH range and draining well, apply a slow-release all-purpose fertiliser such as Scotts Osmocote All Purpose Controlled Release Fertiliser. This will contain all the necessary elements to get your eggplant back to full health.

Check out How To Grow Eggplants for further guidance.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[balaji27]

Thanks @JacobZ for the prompt response and excellent advice. I will follow your instructions to fix the issue.

Have a great day!

Balaji.

[balaji27]

Hello Team,

Apologies to bother again regarding my egg plant, I am really concerned about it. Please take a look at the pics and advise, why the leaves are sober, not looking active. I have been watering regularly, ensuring the soil is moist. It has some eggplant growing and looking good. Please help me to fix this.

Please refer to the pics of my other plants, why there are some spots on the leaves and a few leaves are curled, please advise what is lacking n what I must do?

Thanks 

Balaji.

 

 

 

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @balaji27,

It does look, unfortunately, like your eggplant is really struggling and may be getting close to the point where it cannot recover. The main thing that stands out in all your photos is how dry the surrounding soil appears. Even though you are watering regularly, it looks like the water is only wetting the immediate spot around the stem. The dry soil around it will draw that moisture away very quickly, which means the plant is not actually getting the deep drink it needs.

How long are you watering each plant for? A quick daily water is not enough. It wets only the surface layer and can actually stress the plant because the roots never receive proper moisture. I would suggest giving the plant a really thorough soaking instead, for at least two minutes with a steady spray from the hose so that the moisture penetrates deeply into the soil. Doing that every two days is usually far more beneficial than light daily watering.

The curled, limp leaves and the pale, tired appearance are consistent with a plant that has been significantly underwatered over time. There are no obvious signs of disease, although something has been nibbling here and there, much like on your other plants. The larger issue is the general condition of the soil and the lack of consistent deep moisture.

If you can let us know how long and how often you have been watering, that will help us work out whether the issue is purely underwatering or if something else might also be contributing. 

Mitchell