Why do squash leaves turn yellow? Growing vegetables in the backyard will be great because it can be a good source of food and income. It can be also a good stress reliever since you have something to focus on.
But sometimes there are things that we cannot control just like having problems with our vegetables. Some of them have problems just like on their leaves. There are times that you will see yellow leaves on your plant which affects their growth. So what to do when you yellow leaves on your plant, especially on squash?
Why Do Squash Leaves Turn Yellow?
Some of the reasons why squash leaves turn leaves are watering problems, lacking sunlight, improper fertilization, iron deficiency, damaged roots, pests, diseases, and aging leaves.
If you see changes in your squash leaves from green to yellow in quantity numbers then you need to analyze your plant to see what causes the leaves to turn yellow. After figuring it out and fixing the problem the plant will go back to normal. The best way to prevent it from happening is to care for the squash plants well.
Squash Is Lack In Sunlight
The sunlight requirement for a squash plant is around 6 hours. You need to grow squash plants in a little bit of open area where sunlight is available. The good thing about this plant is it crawls. Meaning even if the plant is planted in a little bit of shade area, it can still reach the sunlight once they grown enough.
The vines of the squash will grow longer and they will get more sunlight when the vines are well exposed to the sun. Lacking sunlight can cause yellow leaves so you need to monitor or to be observed if your garden will get enough sunlight so that plants will be able to make their food. Aside from yellow leaves, some squash leaves may turn brown if the plant is not being cared for well.
Lacking In Water
If you want your squash plant to thrive well, you need to keep them hydrated. An inch of water is needed by the squash and you should fulfill their needs.
When the squash is lacking in water, yellow leaves may show up. It is because when the plant is getting little water it is not enough for the whole part of the plant to grow consistently. The leaves may get affected when the water is very little.
You can water squash more often when the weather is too hot commonly it happens during summer. But if there is a lot of rainfall you don’t need to give them water.
Overwatered
Overwatering can also cause yellow leaves on a squash plant. You need to be smart in giving water to your plant so that overwatering will be prevented.
You can check your soil if it is still moist before giving water. If the soil is still wet, you can wait for a few days before watering the plants. In that way overwatering will be prevented.
When too much water is given to squash, some yellow leaves may appear. You need to stop giving water to your plant and wait until they recover. If only a few leaves turn yellow then the plant is still in a good shape. You need to take care of the squash plant to prevent problems like overwatering.
It is great to know why squash leaves turn yellow. There are many factors to look for and when you figure out the problem you need to take action to prevent further damage.
When the problem is fixed, the plant will grow well again and you can have a good harvest when the plant is kept healthy.
Improper Fertilization On Squash Plant
Improper fertilization of squash plants may also be a cause for yellowing leaves. The chemical fertilizer may affect the plant which can also cause the squash to lose leaves. Chemical fertilizer can be bought from the nurseries or agricultural stores but if you have an organic garden then you used to find some organic fertilizer.
Organic fertilizers are made up of organic matter which is eco-friendly and safe for humans and animals. That kind of fertilizer will keep the plant in good shape and the curling leaves of the squash plant will also be prevented. Improving the soil quality is essential but you need to do it properly to prevent problems to happen.
Lacking Iron
Iron deficiency might be the cause why there are yellow leaves on a squash plant. Iron helps in the production of chlorophyll in the leaves. The chlorophyll must be in a good amount so plants will be able to make their food and keep the leaves green.
Lacking iron will result in the squash leaves turning yellow. You need to improve the iron in the soil to make the plants grow healthy. The lifespan of the squash plant will be in a good shape when it happens.
Damage Roots
Squash roots may get damaged when overwatering happens or if they get flooded. You need to be careful in watering to prevent root rot which will affect the plants’ life.
And also it is better to make a good waterway for your plants to prevent floods. Sometimes heavy rain comes and you should be prepared to make your plant safer.
Transplant shock
Transplant shock on squash plants may also happen but it is rare. Most gardeners grow a seed directly on the ground or if they are going to do transplanting, they transplant seedlings of squash just after a few days or weeks.
Mature squash plants are rarely being transplanted. But if you transplant an old squash plant then it is possible for them to suffer transplant shock and you should be careful in doing this thing.
Age Squash Leaves
Aging leaves are common for any plant and tree. The leaves are color green when young and change color to yellow when they mature. After that, the yellow leaves will turn brown and fall into the ground.
If you are seeing yellow leaves on your squash plant, then they are probably just old leaves and you should not worry about them. You still need to check if they are really old leaves or not.
Pests And Diseases Attack Squash
Some of the pests that may attack the squash plants are Vine Borers, White flies, spider mites, leafhoppers, and aphids. A good squash pests control should be used to prevent those pests to damage the leaves of your plant.
Aside from pests, some diseases may cause damage to your plant. Some of those diseases are bacterial wilt, phytophthora root rot, verticillium wilt, and fusarium wilt. Some diseases still can be controlled with the use of fungicides or horticultural oil.
It is great to know why do squash leaves turn yellow. There are many factors to look for and when you figure out the problem you need to take action to prevent further damage.
When the problem is fixed, the plant will grow well again and you can have a good harvest when the plant is kept healthy.