Bamboo Nutrient Deficiency: Signs, Causes and the Fertilizer That Fixes It
Bamboo nutrient deficiency is one of the first things to check when the leaves of your kawayan (bamboo) turn yellow, purple or burnt at the edges. On Philippine farms the usual ones are nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. This guide shows where each one starts, how to be sure, and the fertilizer that fixes it.
Start with one question: did the change begin on the old leaves or on the young ones? Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium move inside the plant, so a shortage shows on the old, lower leaves first. But iron stay where the plant first put them, so the young leaves and the growing tip show it first. After that, the color and the pattern narrow down which bamboo nutrient deficiency you have, and a soil test confirms it. Each one below has its signs, its causes and its fix.
Bamboo nutrient deficiency signs, old leaves and young leaves
Shows first on the old leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen | old, lower leaves, the whole plant | The clump turns pale yellow green, older leaves yellow first, and new shoots come few and thin. | Complete 14 14 14, Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0 |
| Potassium | old, lower leaves, leaf edges and tips | Older leaves yellow and scorch brown at the tips and edges. | Muriate of potash 0 0 60, Complete 14 14 14 |
| Phosphorus | the whole plant, the roots | Clumps spread slowly and send up few shoots. Leaves may look dull dark green. | Complete 14 14 14, 16 20 0 |
| Magnesium | old, lower leaves, between the veins | Older leaves get yellow streaks between green veins. Culms stay thin. | Dolomite, Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) |
Shows first on the young leaves
| Nutrient | Where it starts | What you see | Fix with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | young leaves and the tip, between the veins | New leaves turn yellow with green veins, on limestone or high pH soils. | Ferrous sulfate |
Before you buy fertilizer for a bamboo nutrient deficiency
So use the table to pick the likeliest bamboo nutrient deficiency, then read its section below. Also keep in mind that dry soil, standing water, cold nights, a pest or a disease can look the same. That is why it pays to check the roots and the whole field first.
Nitrogen deficiency in bamboo
Bamboo shows it much as other grasses and leafy plants do. The oldest leaves fade to light green and then yellow first, then the whole clump looks pale. Few new shoots come up, and the culms that form are thin and short. Bamboo needs nitrogen in larger amounts than phosphorus or potash. You see it most at this stage: young plantings and old clumps that are cut every year without feeding.
Why nitrogen deficiency happens in kawayan
Yearly harvests of shoots and poles carry nitrogen away, and most clumps are never fertilized. Eroded slopes and sandy riverbanks low in organic matter make it worse.
How to tell it apart
Bamboo also drops old leaves in the dry season and while new shoots grow, which is normal. Spider mites leave fine yellow to white specks and webbing under the leaves, and rust leaves orange to brown powdery spots underneath. To be sure, A soil test for nitrogen and organic matter. Kawayan tinik yields best on soil with about 0.89 percent nitrogen and 4.8 percent organic matter. Clumps that push more and greener shoots after feeding confirm it.
What to apply for nitrogen deficiency
Give old kawayan tinik clumps 2 kg of Complete 14 14 14 per clump each year, along with sanitation cutting. This brings more and bigger shoots and culms. Nursery plantlets need only 0.25 grams of nitrogen per plant. Ammonium sulfate worked better than calcium nitrate. 0.25 grams of nitrogen is about 1.2 grams of Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0.
- Complete 14 14 14
- Ammonium sulfate 21 0 0
- Urea 46 0 0
Sold here with nitrogen: Atlas Granular Urea (46 0 0) by Atlas Fertilizer, Amigo Planters Ammonium Chloride by La Filipina (25 0 0), Agripower 46 0 0 (Locally Blended) Coated by Green Acres Agri Tech and Calcipro by Ramgo (15.5 0 0 with 18.8 percent calcium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to urea fertilizer, and the page on nitrogen deficiency in every crop. In anee.io, Anee, the smart farm technician, reads a photo of the leaf and tells you which nutrient is short.
To keep it away, fertilize clumps every year, keep the leaf litter under the clump, and remove old and dead culms. Clumps harvested every year need fertilizer to keep giving shoots and culms. Let a soil test and the crop's color set the season's nitrogen.
Potassium deficiency in bamboo
The signs on bamboo are the ones most grasses and leafy plants show. Older leaves yellow and then dry brown at the tips and edges, while the middle of the leaf stays green longer. New shoots and culms stay smaller. You see it most at this stage: clumps harvested every year, on sandy or leached soils.
Why potassium deficiency happens in kawayan
Sandy, leached soils and heavy harvests. Low exchangeable potassium in the soil means fewer new shoots. The best plots had about 206 ppm.
How to tell it apart
Bamboo also drops old leaves in the dry season and while new shoots grow, which is normal. Spider mites leave fine yellow to white specks and webbing under the leaves, and rust leaves orange to brown powdery spots underneath. To be sure, A soil test for potash. Productive bamboo soil holds about 206 ppm exchangeable potassium, so compare your reading with that.
What to apply for potassium deficiency
Use a complete fertilizer such as Complete 14 14 14, or add Muriate of potash 0 0 60 where a soil test shows potash is low. Let the soil test set the potash rate. Give 200 to 500 grams of Muriate of potash 0 0 60 a bearing clump a year in two doses, more while fruits are filling. Split it, more while fruits are filling.
- Muriate of potash 0 0 60
- Complete 14 14 14
Sold here with potassium: Atlas Muriate of Potash (MOP) by Atlas Fertilizer (0 0 60), Simplot Sulfate 0 0 50 by Nutranta, Potassium Nitrate by Parafield (13 0 46) and Qrop Mix Production 14 0 23 plus 13 Cao by Farmtech Agriland (14 0 23 with 9.3 percent calcium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to potash fertilizer, and the page on potassium deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, return leaf litter and chopped branches to the clump, and fertilize every year. Keep organic matter up with compost, manure or crop residues.
Phosphorus deficiency in bamboo
Bamboo shows it much like other grasses and leafy plants. The clump spreads slowly and sends up few new shoots and culms. Leaves can look dull dark green and growth is slow, especially in young plantings. You see it most at this stage: the first years after planting, and on old, poor soils.
Why phosphorus deficiency happens in kawayan
Acid, weathered and eroded soils that hold phosphorus. Low available phosphorus means clumps spread less and send up fewer culms and shoots. The best plots had about 13.9 ppm.
How to tell it apart
Nitrogen shortage also cuts shoot numbers, but leaves turn pale instead of dark. Root and rhizome damage from digging or waterlogging also slows clumps. To be sure, A soil test for available phosphorus and pH, compared with about 13.9 ppm found in the productive Dumanjug plots.
What to apply for phosphorus deficiency
Put phosphate in the planting hole and feed clumps with a complete fertilizer such as Complete 14 14 14 or 16 20 0. Superphosphate 0 20 0 can be added where a soil test shows phosphorus is low. Follow the soil test for the rate. Give 200 to 500 grams of Complete 14 14 14 a young clump, up to 1 to 2 kg a bearing clump, when the rains begin.
- Complete 14 14 14
- 16 20 0
- Superphosphate 0 20 0
- Ammonium phosphate 18 46 0
Sold here with phosphorus: Philphos 18 46 0 (Di Ammonium Phosphate), Atlas Super Gro (16 20 0) by Atlas Fertilizer, Amigo Planters Granular Single Super Phosphate by La Filipina (0 18 0 with 11 percent sulfur) and Triple Super Phosphate by Newman Chemicals (0 46 0). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to 16 20 0 fertilizer, and the page on phosphorus deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, add compost or manure at planting and keep the leaf litter in place.
Magnesium deficiency in bamboo
On bamboo the signs match those on other grasses and leafy plants. Older leaves yellow between the veins, which in a grass leaf shows as yellow streaks along green veins. Culms come thinner and lighter. You see it most at this stage: established clumps on acid, leached soils.
Why magnesium deficiency happens in kawayan
Acid, sandy and leached soils. Low exchangeable magnesium leaves culms thinner, shorter and lighter. Productive plots had about 1,135 ppm.
How to tell it apart
Bamboo also drops old leaves in the dry season and while new shoots grow, which is normal. Spider mites leave fine yellow to white specks and webbing under the leaves, and rust leaves orange to brown powdery spots underneath. To be sure, A soil test for magnesium, potash and pH.
What to apply for magnesium deficiency
On acid soil, apply Dolomite, which supplies magnesium and raises pH. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) or Kieserite can also be used. Let the soil test set the rate. Give 100 to 250 grams of Kieserite or Magnesium sulfate a clump a year, or Dolomite on acid soil. Put the soil dose in before planting or when the rains begin. Sprays show results in 10 to 14 days.
- Dolomite
- Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)
- Kieserite
Sold here with magnesium: Dolomite by A6 Agrisource (24 percent calcium and 11 percent magnesium), Agsmart Kieserite Granule (20 percent sulfur and 16.3 percent magnesium), DDDD Planter's Choice Magnesium Sulphate Monohydrate by Modern Time (15.1 percent magnesium) and Zetryl MAG 9 by Zetryl Chem (9 percent magnesium). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to complete fertilizer, and the page on magnesium deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, keep potash and magnesium in balance with a soil test and lime acid soils with dolomite.
Iron deficiency in bamboo
Bamboo shows it the way most grasses and leafy plants do. The newest leaves turn yellow while the veins stay green. In bad cases whole new leaves turn yellow to white and their edges may brown. You see it most at this stage: new growth, on high pH soils.
Why iron deficiency happens in kawayan
Alkaline soils above about pH 7.5 lock up iron, most of all where there is a lot of limestone. Waterlogged or compacted soil makes it worse. It should be rare on the acid soils where most Philippine bamboo grows.
How to tell it apart
Nitrogen shortage yellows the older leaves first, not the new ones. Magnesium shortage streaks the older leaves. To be sure, A soil test for pH. A test spray of iron on a few branches. Leaves that green up within a few weeks point to iron.
What to apply for iron deficiency
Spray chelated iron or Ferrous sulfate on the leaves. It shows results within a few weeks but may need repeating each year. On high pH soil, soil sulfur lowers the pH so iron becomes available. Follow the label for rates. Spray Ferrous sulfate at 0.5 to 1 percent (80 to 160 grams in a 16 liter sprayer), or an iron chelate at the label rate, two or three times 7 to 10 days apart.
- Ferrous sulfate
Sold here with iron: DDDD Planter's Choice Ferrous Sulphate Heptahydrate by Modern Time (19 percent iron), Ferrous Sulfate Monohydrate by Zetryl Chem (30 percent iron), Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate by Newman Chemicals (30 percent iron) and Liquid Chelate Iron with Sulfur by Sagrex (5 percent iron and 3 percent sulfur). Check the FPA registration on the bag and follow the label rate. For the how and when, see our guide to foliar fertilizer, and the page on iron deficiency in every crop.
To keep it away, do not lime soils that are already near neutral, add organic matter, and keep the soil well drained. Test the soil every two or three years.
A soil test is the surest check for any bamboo nutrient deficiency. Before you buy, ask your Municipal Agriculture Office where to send a soil sample. The DA regional soil laboratories test soil, and the result says how much of each fertilizer your kawayan needs. That saves money, because extra fertilizer is money lost.
Open the Nutrient Deficiency Finder, pick kawayan, say where the leaves changed first and what you see, and get the fertilizers sold here that fix it.
- Anee, the smart farm technician, reads a photo of the leaf
- The cropping calendar dates every fertilizer application of your season
Bamboo nutrient deficiency questions
Why are my kawayan leaves turning yellow?
What fertilizer fixes nitrogen deficiency in bamboo?
What fertilizer fixes potassium deficiency in bamboo?
What fertilizer fixes phosphorus deficiency in bamboo?
How do I know which nutrient my kawayan lacks?
Find the missing nutrient and fix it
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