Nutrient burn (overfeeding)

Yellow, then brown, crispy leaf tips that spread inwards. The feed is too strong or salts are building up. Cut back; don't add more.

Symptoms

• Leaf tips go yellow, then brown and crispy, spreading inwards.
• Leaves may feel stiff or glossy, often very dark green.
• Run-off EC much higher than the feed EC.

Quick checks

• Measure feed EC and run-off EC.
• Measure your tap water EC.
• Check how much run-off you get per watering.

How to fix it

1. 1
   Feed

   Cut back

   Drop to the lower end of the chart range for the week.

2. 2
   Physical

   Rinse in soil and coco

   Rinse the medium with plain, pH-adjusted water, then restart at a lighter strength. In hydro, change the tank.

3. 3
   Monitor

   Watch the run-off

   Check run-off EC weekly and aim for around 10–20% run-off each watering.

Likely causes

• Feed EC above the chart for the week.
• Salt build-up in the medium from little or no run-off.
• Hard water adding EC before nutrients go in.
• In heat, the plant drinks more, so salts build up faster.

What to avoid

• Don't add more feed or supplements.
• Don't forget your tap water's own EC.
• Don't confuse it with potassium deficiency, which starts on leaf edges of older leaves.

Prevention

• Start low in every range and move up as the plant shows it's happy.
• Weekly run-off checks.
• Feed a little lighter in heatwaves.

Monkey products that can help

Stress

Monkey say Stress improves uptake efficiency and reduces nutrient salt build-up in the medium. It can help, but cutting the feed is the fix.

2 ml per 10 L every week. Always add it to the water first and mix thoroughly before adding anything else.

View product →

Products support a healthy plant. They don't replace fixing the cause.

When to get help

If tips keep burning at the lower end of the chart, email info@monkeynutrients.co.uk with your tap water EC, feed EC and run-off EC.

Related problems