Foundations
Diagnostic Foundations
A repeatable observation-first workflow for separating environmental, root-zone, nutritional, pest, pathogen, and physical causes before choosing a response.
What to look for
- Where symptoms began: old growth, new growth, upper canopy, lower canopy, roots, flowers, or one branch
- Pattern: uniform, interveinal, marginal, spotted, distorted, wilted, asymmetric, or localized
- Progression: sudden, gradual, spreading, stable, or recovering
- Recent changes in irrigation, nutrition, environment, lighting, handling, or sanitation
Important look-alikes
- Different problems can create similar yellowing, spotting, curling, wilting, or stunting
- A single photograph rarely establishes cause
How to confirm
- Inspect roots, stems, leaf undersides, and affected flowers
- Record substrate moisture, pH, EC, air temperature, RH, leaf temperature when available, and light context
- Use magnification when pests or fungal structures are plausible
- Compare affected and unaffected plants and locations
Management principles
- Correct the highest-confidence underlying cause rather than chasing a symptom
- Change one major variable at a time when practical so the response is interpretable
- Document the intervention and reassess progression
Prevention
- Maintain consistent records
- Calibrate meters and sensors
- Use quarantine and sanitation boundaries
- Scout before symptoms become severe
Visual study guide
- Whole-plant symptom locator
- Old-versus-new growth comparison
- Diagnostic evidence decision tree
- Measurement-context dashboard