Why are my pea plants turning yellow? This is a question that plagues the mind of several people with home gardens. While growing a delicate vegetable at home can be a rewarding experience but witnessing it going through stress can be equally painful. Yellow leaves on a plant are usually a sign of stress.
There are several reasons why your pea plant may come under stress and start turning yellow; It could be because the environmental requirements are not being met, or maybe you are giving too much of something i.e. water or fertilizer.
You need to investigate the reason behind the yellow pea plant so you can find a solution to it soon. So, here is a detailed guide to answer your question – why are my pea plants turning yellow? Keep reading.
5 Surprising Reasons on Why Are My Pea Plants Turning Yellow
Pea plants have gentle roots, and they need careful attention from you to keep thriving. However, they can survive in varying conditions and are not too demanding to provide all the prerequisites.
Your pea plants could be turning yellow because of diseases like root rot, pest attacks, or lack of water. Some other causes could be lack of nutrients, inadequate sunlight hours, and more.
Let’s explore more answers to your query – why are my pea plants turning yellow?
#1: Inadequate watering
Inadequate amount of water and irregular watering schedules can disrupt the health of a pea plant and cause it to turn yellow. Overwatering and underwatering can both cause damage to the plant.
Overwatering leads to soggy and waterlogged soil. This soil renders the plant unable to take up nutrients and drains the soil of necessary elements needed for the growth of a plant. Overwatering can also lead to root rot and several fungal diseases as the fungus thrives in a moist environment.
Underwatering can lead to dehydration in a plant as it cannot take up enough water from the soil, especially when it’s summer season and the pea plant needs more water. This can also cause your pea plant to turn yellow.
You can easily identify the issue with watering. If it is a case of overwatering, you will notice constantly moist soil. In the case of underwatering, the soil will be too dry. You can check by dipping your finger in the soil or make use of a moisture meter. If it is dry for the top two to three inches, you can add more water. Also, make sure the soil drains well to avoid water accumulation.
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#2: Root Rot
Root rot is a fungus that originates from the soil and destroys the plant. Consequently, your pea plant may start turning yellow from the bottom and eventually die. Root rot can happen due to several causes like overwatering, the spread of fungal spores, when the soil does not drain well, keeping the plants in one place for too long, etc.
To avoid root rot, make sure to add water in an adequate amount, the soil should be well-drained, and keep rotating plants.
#3: Pest Attack
If pests have invaded your pea plant, it will usually turn yellow and brown soon enough. The pests, such as aphids and scales, suck out the sap from the leaves, leading to the plant’s yellowing.
Scales are tiny pests shaped like beetle, and they will leave your pea plant wilted and yellow as they suck the sap out from pea leaves. You can treat scales by applying neem oil or spraying the plant with a fast jet of water to wash off the pests in case of a small infestation.
Aphids also suck the sap from the plant. They usually attack the plant when it is new and growing, around the middle of the fall season. Aphids can be treated in the same way, by neem oil or spraying a jet of water.
In severe cases, you may have to use a pesticide or completely remove the plant.
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#4: Lack Of Sunlight
If you are still wondering, “why are my pea plants turning yellow,” it could be due to an inadequate amount of sunlight.
Sunlight is very important for plants to make food, and the pea plant is no different. You need to make sure that your pea plant is not kept under shade for most hours of the day. The pea plant does not do well in the shade and needs to get at least 6 hours of good sunlight per day.
So, check if some obstacle like buildings or taller plants is blocking the way and move the pea plant to a sunnier place. If your area doesn’t get much sunlight, you could use artificial plant lights to properly grow the pea plants in your garden.
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#5: Downy Mildew
Downy Mildew is a type of fungal disease. When downy Mildew infects a pea plant, you will be able to see lesions on the leaves and the rest of the plant. The discoloration is typically the first sign of this fungal disease. Other than that, you will be able to see dark spots on the pods.
The downy Mildew appears as a gray, powdery material on the underside of the leaves, but slowly it can appear on the top.
It is essential to get rid of this fungus as it sticks with the plants even after it dies, waiting to infect other plants. So, if the Mildew has spread badly, you may have to throw out the plant. You can try using a good fungicide.
To prevent this disease, keep your garden free from debris. Circulation of air is very important, so the plant’s soil should not be overwatered or waterlogged. Try to rotate pea plants every three to four years, and also, get resistant seeds for your garden to avoid attacks from Mildew and other fungi.
Conclusion
I hope this answers your question – why are my pea plants turning yellow? To make sure your pea plant grows well, you must not water it more than needed, plant it in airy and well-draining soil, keep rotating the crops, and fertilize it with safe products.
Before planting any crop, you must do your research on the optimal weather conditions for that specific plant, as the temperature and humidity can greatly affect the health of crops.
Share any tips you have on raising healthy pea plants with us.