Cu deficiency in Lonicera

Cu deficiency in Lonicera

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Scientific Name
Copper (Cu)
Atomic Number
29
Atomic Weight u
63.546
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Copper (Cu) for use in Container Nursery Stock

  • Copper sulfate (CuSO₄·5H₂O, “Bluestone”) – soluble; foliar or drench at low, safe rates.
  • Copper chelate (Cu-EDTA, “EDTA-Cu”) – soluble and safer for fertigation; good foliar uptake.
  • Copper oxychloride (3Cu(OH)₂·CuCl₂, “Copper oxychloride”) – primarily fungicidal; nutritional benefit in foliar programs.
  • Copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂, “Copper hydroxide”) – foliar source with disease control benefit.
  • Copper lignosulfonate (varied composition, “Copper lignosulfonate”) – organic complex; soil/media application.
  • Copper nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, “Copper nitrate”) – soluble source used in some formulations.
  • Copper oxide (CuO, “Copper oxide”) – slow-release, low-solubility source for blends.
  • Copper frits (varied composition, “Slow-release Cu frits”) – controlled-release forms for container substrates.

Copper (Cu) Deficiency in Lonicera – Container Nursery Stock

Symptoms

  • Young shoots show dieback and twisting; growing tips may fail.
  • Leaves may be dark, dull or bluish-green at first, then develop interveinal chlorosis and marginal necrosis.
  • Short internodes leading to rosetting; brittle stems.
  • Reduced flowering and increased susceptibility to disease.

Causes

  • High substrate pH and over-liming reduce Cu availability.
  • High organic matter and fresh bark tie up Cu in container mixes.
  • Antagonism from excessive P, Zn or Fe in fertilization programs.
  • Root stress (overwatering, low aeration, pathogens) limiting uptake.

Correction

  • Foliar apply copper chelate at safe, low label rates; avoid phytotoxicity.
  • Drench with copper chelate or dilute copper sulfate to supply Cu in the root zone.
  • Correct pH drift toward 5.5–6.0 and rebalance programs high in P, Zn or Fe.
  • Improve aeration and drainage; address root pathogens.

Prevention

  • Keep substrate pH 5.5–6.0; avoid over-liming.
  • Include a complete trace element package supplying Cu at maintenance rates.
  • Avoid excessive phosphorus and iron/zinc that antagonize Cu uptake.
  • Maintain good drainage, aeration and sanitation to protect roots.
  • Use routine tissue and media tests to detect early trends.

Cu deficiency in Lonicera

Copper (Cu)
Scientific Name
Copper (Cu)
Atomic Number
29
Atomic Weight u
63.546
Elemental Group
Micro elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Zn) | Micronutrients
Available Forms

Available forms of Copper (Cu) for use in Container Nursery Stock

  • Copper sulfate (CuSO₄·5H₂O, “Bluestone”) – soluble; foliar or drench at low, safe rates.
  • Copper chelate (Cu-EDTA, “EDTA-Cu”) – soluble and safer for fertigation; good foliar uptake.
  • Copper oxychloride (3Cu(OH)₂·CuCl₂, “Copper oxychloride”) – primarily fungicidal; nutritional benefit in foliar programs.
  • Copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂, “Copper hydroxide”) – foliar source with disease control benefit.
  • Copper lignosulfonate (varied composition, “Copper lignosulfonate”) – organic complex; soil/media application.
  • Copper nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, “Copper nitrate”) – soluble source used in some formulations.
  • Copper oxide (CuO, “Copper oxide”) – slow-release, low-solubility source for blends.
  • Copper frits (varied composition, “Slow-release Cu frits”) – controlled-release forms for container substrates.
Cu deficiency in Lonicera
Image Source: LVG Bad Zwischenahn (D), care of ICL

Copper (Cu) Deficiency in Lonicera – Container Nursery Stock

Symptoms

  • Young shoots show dieback and twisting; growing tips may fail.
  • Leaves may be dark, dull or bluish-green at first, then develop interveinal chlorosis and marginal necrosis.
  • Short internodes leading to rosetting; brittle stems.
  • Reduced flowering and increased susceptibility to disease.

Causes

  • High substrate pH and over-liming reduce Cu availability.
  • High organic matter and fresh bark tie up Cu in container mixes.
  • Antagonism from excessive P, Zn or Fe in fertilization programs.
  • Root stress (overwatering, low aeration, pathogens) limiting uptake.

Correction

  • Foliar apply copper chelate at safe, low label rates; avoid phytotoxicity.
  • Drench with copper chelate or dilute copper sulfate to supply Cu in the root zone.
  • Correct pH drift toward 5.5–6.0 and rebalance programs high in P, Zn or Fe.
  • Improve aeration and drainage; address root pathogens.

Prevention

  • Keep substrate pH 5.5–6.0; avoid over-liming.
  • Include a complete trace element package supplying Cu at maintenance rates.
  • Avoid excessive phosphorus and iron/zinc that antagonize Cu uptake.
  • Maintain good drainage, aeration and sanitation to protect roots.
  • Use routine tissue and media tests to detect early trends.