Leaves starting to yellow -Cause: With a nitrogen deficiency, you will notice the lower leaves yellowing during flowering (the older ones toward the bottom of the plant). These leaves are easy to pull off and actually fall off on their own most of the time. Plants will also look pale or lime green.
A nitrogen deficiency does not necessarily mean you are not providing the plant enough nitrogen. It could also be a pH imbalance that is blocking nitrogen absorption (see below).