Step 1: Check Watering Habits & Root Health
Before measuring values or analyzing leaves: Is the root zone foundation solid?
Pot is constantly wet & heavy
Frequent watering at short intervals, pot rarely dries out, leaves droop downwards.
Substrate extremely dry & hydrophobic
Pot is feather-light, soil detached from edge, water runs straight down sides.
Balanced watering by pot weight
Watered only when pot is noticeably lighter (~50% moisture remaining).
Step 2: Check Environmental Conditions (VPD & Light)
Is humidity/temp out of range or is light intensity too high?
Light Distance & Burn Check:
Light very close / Top leaf tips bleaching white
Top leaves directly under LED lose green color and turn white/yellow.
Normal light distance & illumination
Distance matches manufacturer spec, no bleaching.
Step 3: Medium & Measurements (pH & EC)
Are nutrients physically soluble for roots in the substrate?
Organic Growing (Bio Soil)
Organic fertilizers. Soil microbiome buffers pH. EC ignored.
Mineral Growing (Soil / Coco / Hydro)
Directly available salts. pH & EC must be monitored strictly!
Step 4: Locate Symptom Position
Where on the plant do symptoms first appear?
BOTTOM & OLD (Older lower leaves first)
Plant pulls nutrients from old leaves to keep new top growth green.
TOP & NEW (Young fresh growth first)
Deficiency shows up directly on fresh new growth on top.
ALL OVER (Scattered across plant)
No strict top-to-bottom pattern recognisable.
Step 5: Visual Leaf Check
Click the leaf image that most resembles your plant's symptoms:
Step 6: Rule Out Pests & Diseases
Inspect leaf undersides and substrate to be sure:
Spider Mites
Countless yellow-white specks on leaf top, fine webbing.
Thrips
Silvery translucent trails with tiny black frass specks.
Fungus Gnats
Flies around soil. Larvae feed on fine root hairs!
No Pests Visible
Leaf undersides are clean, no insects present.