Micronutrient Deficiencies in NZ Gardens

Why plants yellow, distort, or underperform — and what gardeners can do

What Are Micronutrient Deficiencies?

Micronutrients are essential trace elements that plants need in small amounts to grow strong and healthy. Common ones in NZ soils include:

Even if the soil contains these elements, plants may struggle to access them, leading to stress and poor growth.

Yellowing leaves, especially between veins (interveinal chlorosis)
Leaf distortion or curling
Poor flowering or fruiting
Slow or stunted growth
Plants look “pale” or unhealthy despite fertilising
If your plants show these symptoms, it’s often a micronutrient availability problem, not just a lack of fertiliser.

Soil pH imbalance: High lime levels or alkaline soils make micronutrients less available
Nutrient lock-up: Nutrients present in the soil but chemically unavailable to plants
Heavy rainfall or leaching: Micronutrients washed away or tied up
Poor soil biology: Lack of microbes reduces natural nutrient cycling
Compacted or dense soils: Roots can’t reach nutrients efficiently

Many gardeners try to fix deficiencies by:

While sometimes helpful, these measures don’t always solve the root cause. Making nutrients available and accessible to roots is key.

Our products help plants access and absorb micronutrients naturally, even in challenging NZ soils:

Greener, healthier leaves and more consistent colour
Better flowering and fruiting in vegetables and fruit trees
Stronger roots and improved overall plant vigour
Reduced need for repeated fertiliser applications
Supporting plants to access the nutrients already in the soil is often more effective than adding more fertiliser.

In fruit trees, grapes, or tomatoes showing yellowing
In recently fertilised beds where plants aren’t improving
In soils with high pH, heavy clay, or volcanic origin
After periods of heavy rainfall or drought
If your plants look pale, distorted, or underperform despite proper care, micronutrient availability is often the hidden culprit.