🧪 Micronutrients: Essential Trace Elements
Micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts but are equally vital for plant metabolism and health. Deficiencies can severely impact growth.
🦴 Calcium (Ca)
- Function: Cell wall structure, cell division, root growth.
- Deficiency: Stunted growth, distorted new leaves, brown spots, blossom end rot. Crucial in coco!
🌿 Magnesium (Mg)
- Function: Central component of chlorophyll, enzyme activator.
- Deficiency: Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between veins) on older leaves. Common in coco!
💫 Sulfur (S)
- Function: Protein synthesis, enzyme activity, flavor/aroma development.
- Deficiency: General yellowing of younger leaves, similar to nitrogen but starting from the top.
⚙️ Iron (Fe)
- Function: Chlorophyll formation, enzyme systems.
- Deficiency: Interveinal chlorosis on new growth, very pale yellow leaves.
🔬 Other Micronutrients
Boron (B), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Molybdenum (Mo), Chlorine (Cl) are also necessary. A good quality complete nutrient line will provide these.
🥥 Coco Tip: Always use a CalMag supplement when growing in coco coir to prevent common Ca/Mg deficiencies due to coco's natural cation exchange properties.