What do the claw-shaped leaves pointing downwards mean?
When something happens to a plant, it is almost always the leaves that show the first symptoms. Being more exposed, they are very susceptible to pests and diseases, but also to excess or lack of water and nutrients. They are intricate because one of their main functions is to carry out photosynthesis, that is, to convert solar energy into food, so when they are damaged or their health weakens, the whole plant has a tough time.
But if there is one symptom that draws attention, it is seeing claw-shaped leaves pointing downwards. It may even happen that when we touch them they look like paper, or we notice that there are insects on their nerves that damage them.
Why do my plants have claw-shaped leaves pointing downward?
Since there are several possible causes, we will discuss each one separately so you can get a clearer picture of what may be happening with your plant:
Excess compost or fertilizer
Above all, you need to distinguish manure from fertilizer: the first has organic, and therefore natural origin; the second is chemical. It is often said that fertilizer is a chemical fertilizer, but this is not true, because fertilizers are, as I say, natural and ecological (hence all fertilizers are allowed for organic farming, but there is no fertilizer that is ).
Now, returning to the topic at hand, we can see that the plant has claw-shaped leaves pointing downwards. if we paid for or fertilized it with fertilizer affluent in any of these nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and/or potassium.
These symptoms are particularly common in plants fertilized with nitrogen fertilizers.Since we, humans, generally want plants to grow as quickly as possible, and since nitrogen is the nutrient they apply most efficiently for growth, we usually do not hesitate for a moment to apply nitrogen fertilizers without thinking about the consequences.
Both phosphorus and potassium are imperative for flowering, so excess fertilizers high in either of these two nutrients applied during the flowering period can also cause leaves to curl.
Nutrient deficiency
Image – Wikimedia / Jerzy Opioła
While this isn’t something I’ve seen very often, I thought it was worth mentioning. When a plant lacks a certain nutrient – most often iron or manganese – its leaves may become chlorotic. but also that they lose weight and “fall”.
For this reason, it is very crucial to fertilize the plants with manure or fertilizer affluent in various nutrients, e.g. guano (available for sale here), when you notice the first symptoms (e.g. yellowing leaves).
very high temperatures, heat
When temperatures are higher than they can handle, plants respond in different ways, including folding their leaves. Others make their leaves look like claws pointing downward. This is a symptom that will not be accompanied by any other; that is, apart from having such foliage, it will be quite well, with no trace of pests.
However, if we plant the plant in a pot, especially a plastic one, and in full sun, we will definitely notice that it is very heated. This is a problem for the roots, which will have difficulty staying hydrated.
Related article:
Why do my plant have black spots on its leaves?
Pests
Many pests hide on the underside of leaves, which cause their deformation, e.g. whiteflies, aphids or thripsBecause they like warmth very much, we will see them become more lively in the warmer months.
So if we notice only insects or discolored spots, we will have to take action to prevent the situation from getting worse.
How do I get it back?
If you have a plant with such leaves, the first thing you need to do is find the cause. And depending on what it is, the measures you need to take to cure it will be one or another. For example:
- Excess compost or fertilizer: when it is suspected that the plant has been paid or fertilized more than necessary, it should be watered, only with water so that the product seeps through. If the plant is in a pot, it is advisable to remove it and replace the soil without touching the root ball or root ball.
- Nutrient deficiency: since it is sometimes tough to know which nutrient is missing, it is most advisable to fertilize it with one that has at least the most crucial ones and others, the lack of which also causes many problems, such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and iron. But yes, you must follow the instructions on the package, otherwise you can cause earnest damage.
- very high temperatures:If the plant is exposed to higher temperatures than it can tolerate, we recommend either placing a shade net over it to provide protection from the sun or moving it to a cooler location.
- Pests:if you have any pests like aphids or mealybugs, you need to treat them with special insecticides or triple action products like this one.
As you can see, the leaves of your plant may be diseased for various reasons, but we hope you will be able to save it.