a pH of 7.5 is within the neutral range, although high within that range. (I consider 6.5 to 7.5 neutral). In my opinion, you do not need to add vinegar. If you are compelled to do so, perhaps 1/4 Tbsp per gallon.

I add vinegar (at 1 Tbsp./per 1 -1.5 gal ) because my water tests 9.2 to 9.4 pH.

7.5 pH would not be a problem for citrus. Water with high levels of bicarbonates that would be a larger concern.

We are 7.8 in Cincinnati. For my kumquats I would add 1 Tbsp. per gallon for those plants with discolored with iron and zinc deficiency.

Steve

Thanks all for the suggestions, here are the pics.

I have tried watering in an iron chelate powder once, no improvement. Does it look like a ph issue?

Thanks Vladimir, I will do as you say and just start by adding a tiny glug of vinegar to each watering can and see how we do. So far the discolouration does not seem to be inhibiting growth. I will also keep up light iron chelate foliar sprays for the affected plants and see if that makes any improvement. Laura and Mike always have super green leaves and I know they use vinegar so I figure a small amount can't hurt.

Strange that this never happens once my trees go outside... same water but different time of year so maybe different water quality?

When your trees are outside they use a lot more water feed solution and thus get the micros necessary. In the winter time there is much less feeding and thus less micros delivered. If we could fine a 25-5 -15 for the summer and a 5-5-15 for the winter we could feed our trees and deliver the micros all year.

Thanks Steve, good info! I didn't know that.

So I currently use mainly FP and osmocote... is there any benefit to add in some fish fert for the micros? As a foliar or mix drench?

Hobby how are you? So good to hear from you as always! Keeping my fingers crossed for you for warmer weather and beautiful warm skies!

Steve pretty much summed it all up in simple terms! Yes, once it does warm up and your trees are much happier all around, they will turn back to that rich green color and take up nutrients much more rapidly and efficeintly...

Right now, if you want to control insects the Emuslion would help but other than that, until the temps and sunlight are enjoyed by your trees, it will not harm it nor be advantageous...

Just a minimum does of Foliage Pro would be sufficient. That's all I do and you have seen the colors of my trees held at very low temps. Save all the extra vinegar and expensive fertilizer for when it is more advantageous to use it))

The leaves that Hobby is concerned about don't look like an iron deficiency to me. They look like they are deficient in Manganese. The symptoms of manganese deficiency look somewhat like an iron deficiency, therefore it is frequently confused. The symptom of a manganese deficiency are: Newest leaves with green veins WITH green boarder areas to the sides of the veins, on an other wise yellow leaf, and leaves normal size. Iron deficient leaves also have green veins, but NO green boarders on the sides of the veins.

Hobby, nice to see you! I can’t comment on the deficiency and it sounds like you’ve got that covered with all the advice here :). I can say that when I added vinegar (I have not added any for the last year perhaps) I initially added and tested with the ph meter until I knew how much vinegar got me to about 6.5 or thereabouts.

Laura, did you ever check the pH of your fertilizer solution with no vinegar added? I wonder of it wasn't already at an appropriate level.

Thanks Mike good info! I hope they go dark green at some point, those leaves are pretty ugly to look at.

Thanks Silica, I have been researching your suggestions and seems like to treatment would be the same as I would do for iron deficiency, adjust for alkilinity and don’t over lime- which I may have done. Any other suggestions?

Hey Laura I thought you were quiet this week. Nice to hear from you! Good info, I hadn’t thought of that, i’d be interested in V’s question too.