Update on Sage leaf concerns

5 years ago

I sent pictures a couple of weeks ago regarding possible inkbleed on some of my Sagae leaves. Some people felt it was possible recent cold weather spell. One person felt my soil could be iron deficient. Many said wait for the second flush of leaves. So this is top view. I will follow with more pics in comments.

debra

Featured Answer

bkay2000

5 years ago

It has to do with the alkalinity of your soil. I see that often on potted hosta that don't sell really soon in our area. Our soil and water are very alkaline. That lack of acidity/excess alkalinity prevents the plant from taking up iron. The rock under our soil is chalk from being a sea bed in the distant past.

100 miles east of here, you get acid soil. They can grow azaleas, camellias, pin oaks and assorted other plants that we struggle with. Chris said there were hosta he couldn't grow where he lived. His city was called Cement City, which would indicate he had alkaline soil, as cement is alkaline.

It may be that your imported soil was alkaline. What you need is a Ph test. You could also just fertilize with a camellia and azalea fertilizer as they are acid. Miracle Grow makes one.

bkay

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Comments (8)

djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
5 years ago
Other pics:

newer leaf

another newer one

another

I did fertilize with miralce grow, vey very lightly.

then I noticed this on neighbor Liberty

What is going on?
undertheoaksgardener7b
5 years ago
It looks like iron chlorosis. Sometimes fertilizer creates a mineral imbalance in the soil, depleting iron availability. It may be worth getting soil tested before doing more interventions.
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked undertheoaksgardener7b
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djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks utog.... it it’s one of those things I keep meaning to do......

when I saw the Liberty leaf, I hoped it meant the soil. I think bkay originally suggested That. So I will get on it!

debra
djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
5 years ago
Also interesting to note that, that hosta bed was created two years ago by the university helping people get there vegetables growing. We were able to buy the soil from them, organic and until just recently I had never fertilized anything. Go figure!

debra
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
one of the pix looks like the leave is stained from something sprayed/applied on it ... which makes me wonder .... you arent still drenching are you???

ken
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
5 years ago
Ken, I am not drenching any longer. I did the pips and now am only doing new hostas.

bkay, thanks for that lesson, I will order that. someone else in the first post recommended a mixture of Epsom salts that Chris for Halsons recommended to her (nw, peren peren??).

Would that work as well in your opinion?

debra
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
5 years ago
Debra my soil is on the acidic side. The only thing I ever add is compost. I can't make enough of my own so I use mushroom compost. It feeds the soil all the macro & micro nutrients it needs in a gentle way. The benefits are substantial.

I believe bkay but it would be interesting and informative for you to get your soil tested.