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What does Magnesium and Potassium deficiencies look like in plants? | Solve this with Banana Skins

Updated: Mar 17


Using the skin of a banana is cheap, easy, and convenient. I love making homemade fertilizer from things that would otherwise be thrown in a bin. The idea of getting a second use makes it all the more rewarding.


Banana peels are rich in potassium and magnesium; using the skins is an excellent way of adding these nutrients to your plants.


Click on the below links to go to the sections




What does potassium do for plants?

  • It helps plants to manage periods of dryness as it regulates the uptake of water;

  • Necessary for activating plant enzymes;

  • Regulates CO2;

  • It is needed to make Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), which is necessary for photosynthesis and the activation of chemical processes in the plant.

Potassium is the most essential nutrient for a plant, second only to nitrogen.


2. What does potassium deficiency look like in plants?


The leaves are turning yellow. Please take a look at the pictures.







3. What does magnesium do for plants?

  • Magnesium helps plants make chlorophyll, which is responsible for green leaves.

  • Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis, allowing plants to get sun energy.


4. What does a magnesium deficiency look like in plants?


If your plants are magnesium deficient, they will be yellow on the edge of the leaves. Have a look at the examples below:





5. How to use banana skins to prevent deficiencies


  1. Take a bottled, distilled, or rainwater glass and soak the banana skin overnight.

  2. The banana skin will turn slightly darker; the water will be slightly brown.

  3. Use this water directly on your plants.


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Let me know if you'll give this a try. Subscribe below for more valuable tips and tricks to increase plant growth.



Sources:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/plants-potassium.htm


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