SHEFFIELD

MADE Plants
The Plant Parent’s
Troubleshooting Handbook
 MADE Plants
SHEFFIELD

CONTENTS
Brown leaf tips 3

Yellowing leaves 4

Small leaves 5

Wilting 6

Weak or floppy stems 7

Leaf drop 8

Curling leaves 9

New leaves not unfurling 10

Leggy growth 11

Brown spots 12

Stunted growth 13

Mold on soil 14

Black roots 15

Mushy leaves 16

Wrinkled leaves/stems 17

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

BROWN LEAF TIPS

PROBLEM
Inconsistent humidity caused by radiators and external doors/windows
SOLUTION
Keep plants away from radiators and external doors/windows

PROBLEM
Slow build up of chlorine in tap water making foliage sick
SOLUTION
Treat your tap water with water conditioner to remove chlorine

PROBLEM
Inconsistent watering. Under and overwatering can damage leaf tissue
SOLUTION
Check soil and water when soil is dry but don’t wait too long

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage meaning plant can’t access water you give
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil mix. Aerate soil with a stick to create air pockets

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

YELLOWING LEAVES
PROBLEM
Overwatering
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Nutrient deficiency from being rootbound
SOLUTION
Repot into fresh soil into a pot that is up to 2 sizes bigger

PROBLEM
Too much direct sun
SOLUTION
Keep away from direct afternoon sunlight. Most plants can tolerate some early
morning sun

PROBLEM
Nutrient deficiency from lack of fertiliser
SOLUTION
Fertilise plants while they are growing following dosage guidance on fertiliser
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MADE Plants

SMALL LEAVES
PROBLEM
Lack of light
SOLUTION
Place plant in a spot where it can get a good view of the sky or use a grow light

PROBLEM
Nutrient deficiency from being rootbound
SOLUTION
Repot into fresh soil into a pot that is up to 2 sizes bigger

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

WILTING
PROBLEM
Underwatering
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Overwatering causing stems and leaves to weaken
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage so plants can’t access oxygen in the pot
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil

PROBLEM
Sap sucking pests like spider mites can weaken a plant and make it wilt
SOLUTION
Check leaves and stems for signs of pests and treat with insecticide

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

WEAK OR FLOPPY STEMS

PROBLEM
Underwatering causing stems to weaken
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Overwatering causing stems to weaken
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Sap sucking pests like spider mites can weaken a plant and make it wilt
SOLUTION
Check leaves and stems for signs of pests and treat with insecticide

PROBLEM
Lack of light
SOLUTION
Place plant in a spot where it can get a good view of the sky or use a grow light

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

LEAF DROP
PROBLEM
Underwatering causing stems to weaken and lose leaves
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Overwatering causing stems to weaken and lose leaves
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Sap sucking pests like spider mites can weaken a plant and make it drop leaves
SOLUTION
Check leaves and stems for signs of pests and treat with insecticide

PROBLEM
Temperature stress, particularly cold temperature
SOLUTION
Keep away from external doors and windows

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

CURLING LEAVES
PROBLEM
Underwatering. The plant is trying to conserve water by curling its leaves
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry but don’t wait too long

PROBLEM
Sap sucking pests like spider mites can stress a plant and make it curl its leaves
SOLUTION
Check leaves and stems for signs of pests and treat with insecticide

PROBLEM
Temperature stress, particularly cold temperature
SOLUTION
Keep away from external doors and windows

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

NEW LEAVES NOT UNFURLING

PROBLEM
Lack of air humidity
SOLUTION
Keep away from radiators. Spray stuck leaf multiple times a day to help it unravel

PROBLEM
Nutrient deficiency from lack of fertiliser
SOLUTION
Fertilise plants while they are growing following dosage guidance on fertiliser

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

LEGGY GROWTH
PROBLEM
Lack of light
SOLUTION
Place plant in a spot where it can get a good view of the sky or use a grow light

PROBLEM
Lack of pruning can result in long stems with large inter-nodal gaps
SOLUTION
Prune stems regularly to keep a compact shape

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

BROWN SPOTS
PROBLEM
Overwatering can cause brown spots to appear in leaves
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Fungal diseases like leaf spot and brown spot
SOLUTION
Treat with fungicide and improve air circulation around plants

PROBLEM
Overfertilisation
SOLUTION
Fertilise plants while they are growing following dosage guidance on fertiliser

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage meaning roots stay wet for too long
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil mix. Aerate soil with a stick to create air pockets

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

STUNTED GROWTH
PROBLEM
Lack of light
SOLUTION
Place plant in a spot where it can get a good view of the sky or use a grow light

PROBLEM
Nutrient deficiency from being rootbound
SOLUTION
Repot into fresh soil into a pot that is up to 2 sizes bigger

PROBLEM
Nutrient deficiency from lack of fertiliser
SOLUTION
Fertilise plants while they are growing following dosage guidance on fertiliser

PROBLEM
Sap sucking pests like spider mites can stress a plant and stunt growth
SOLUTION
Check leaves and stems for signs of pests and treat with insecticide

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

MOLD ON SOIL
PROBLEM
Overwatering causing soil to stay wet for too long developing mould
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage meaning soil stays wet for too long
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil mix. Aerate soil with a stick to create air pockets

PROBLEM
Fungus developing on soil
SOLUTION
Improve air circulation around plants and remove dead fallen leaves from soil

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

BLACK ROOTS
PROBLEM
Overwatering causing soil to stay wet, rotting the roots
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage meaning soil stays wet for too long, rotting the roots
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil mix. Aerate soil with a stick to create air pockets

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

MUSHY LEAVES
PROBLEM
Overwatering causing leaves to take on too much water
SOLUTION
Check soil and water only when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage meaning soil stays wet for too long, rotting the leaves
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil mix. Aerate soil with a stick to create air pockets

PROBLEM
Lack of light meaning plant can’t dry out quickly
SOLUTION
Place plant in a spot where it can get a good view of the sky or use a grow light

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 SHEFFIELD
MADE Plants

WRINKLED LEAVES/STEMS
PROBLEM
Underwatering causing water to deplete from leaves
SOLUTION
Check soil and water when soil is dry

PROBLEM
Poor soil drainage meaning plant can’t access water you give
SOLUTION
Repot into well draining soil mix. Aerate soil with a stick to create air pockets

PROBLEM
Too much direct sun causing plant to dry out too quickly
SOLUTION
Keep away from direct afternoon sunlight. Most plants can tolerate some early
morning sun

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 MADE Plants
SHEFFIELD

What next?
So, that’s it. The main problems you will find affecting your plants and how to
solve them.

This guide is all about correcting common problems but the next step is to
learn the things that help make your plants thrive.

We believe we’ve got the best solution on the internet to fast-track you through
everything you need to get the best out of your leafy pals.

Click on the image below to head straight over and find out more...

Best wishes,
Richard

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