How to Add Iron to Plant Food

Soil Feeding

• 1

  Mix iron chelate, either a rusty-colored powder or a concentrated solution, with water or liquid fertilizer to apply to the soil around affected plants. Manufacturers recommend soil application for longest-lasting effects.

• 2

  Add the manufacturer’s recommended amount of iron chelate to a small amount of water. Confirm recommended amounts of iron chelate; one leading manufacturer calls for 1 level teaspoon per gallon of water for azaleas, laurels, gardenias and hibiscus, and half this amount for chrysanthemums, carnations, petunias and snapdragons. Mix until dissolved.

• 3

  Add the remainder of the water and mix thoroughly.

• 4

  Apply the dissolved iron chelate to the ground as instructed by the manufacturer. These instructions may call for 6 to 12 tablespoons of chelate solution for 100 square feet of home garden space or 2 teaspoons per plant for plants 2 to 3 feet tall. Apply ¼ teaspoon to an 8-inch pot. For trees, apply 3 to 6 tablespoons of liquid per inch of trunk diameter at chest level.

Foliar Feeding

• 5

  Add iron chelate to water, fertilizer or fungicides for application to leaves, termed foliar feeding. Manufacturers recommend foliar feeding for faster results. Follow recommended levels of iron chelate for citrus trees, non-citrus trees, vine crops and vegetables. For example, maples and oaks take ½ to 1 pound per 100 gallons of water.

• 6

  Spray a test area first to determine that no undesirable effects occur from a combination with other plant foods or pesticides. Avoid foliar feeding of spinach, forage grasses, lettuce, mustard and cauliflower.

• 7

  Cover the leaves thoroughly with a spray of the iron chelate solution.