Ne adj túl sok tápoldatot, nehogy elhervadjon a palánta.

Because ne is the normal negator for commands, requests, and prohibitions in Hungarian.

• nem negates statements:
  
  • Nem adok tápoldatot. = I don’t give nutrient solution.
• ne negates an imperative/jussive form:
  
  • Ne adj tápoldatot! = Don’t give nutrient solution!

So Ne adj is the correct way to say Don’t give.

Ne adsz is not grammatical, because adsz is an indicative form, not an imperative one.

The verb ad (to give) has an irregular-looking imperative form.

• dictionary form: ad
• 2nd person singular imperative: adj

That -j is the usual marker of the imperative in Hungarian, but with some verbs the form changes a bit when it is added. So:

• adj! = give!
• ne adj! = don’t give!

This is just a form you need to learn as part of the verb’s conjugation.

Here adj is 2nd person singular imperative, so it is addressed to one person:

• adj = (you singular) give
• ne adj = (you singular) don’t give

If you were speaking to several people, you would use a different form:

• Ne adjatok túl sok tápoldatot... = Don’t give too much nutrient solution... (to more than one person)

Because it is the direct object of the verb ad.

Hungarian marks direct objects with the accusative ending, usually -t, though the exact shape depends on the word. Here:

• tápoldat = nutrient solution
• tápoldatot = nutrient solution (as the object)

So in adj túl sok tápoldatot, the thing being given is the object, so it takes the accusative.

Because túl sok tápoldatot means too much nutrient solution in a general, indefinite sense.

With amounts and quantities, Hungarian often leaves out the article:

• sok víz = a lot of water
• kevés cukor = little sugar
• túl sok tápoldat = too much nutrient solution

Then when the phrase is used as the direct object, it becomes:

• túl sok tápoldatot

Using an article here would usually sound less natural unless you meant some specific previously mentioned amount or batch.

túl sok means too much or more than is good/appropriate.

• sok = much / many
• túl sok = too much / too many

It works as a quantity expression before the noun:

• túl sok víz = too much water
• túl sok fény = too much light
• túl sok tápoldat = too much nutrient solution

So the warning is specifically about an excessive amount, not just giving nutrient solution in general.

ne and nehogy do different jobs.

• ne negates a command:
  • Ne adj... = Don’t give...
• nehogy introduces a feared or unwanted result, something like:
  • lest...
  • so that ... not
  • in case ... might

In this sentence:

• Ne adj túl sok tápoldatot, nehogy elhervadjon a palánta.

the second clause gives the undesirable consequence that the speaker wants to avoid.

So a rough structural understanding is:

• Don’t do X, lest Y happen.

After nehogy, Hungarian typically uses an imperative/subjunctive-type form to express a feared possibility.

Here:

• elhervad = it withers / it will wither
• elhervadjon = that it might wither / lest it wither

This is 3rd person singular imperative/subjunctive, because the subject is a palánta (the seedling), which is singular.

So nehogy elhervadjon means something like:

• lest it wither
• so that it doesn’t wither
• in case it might wither

el- is a verbal prefix. Hungarian prefixes often modify the meaning of the verb by adding a sense of completion, result, direction, or change of state.

• hervad = to wither / wilt
• elhervad = to wither away / become wilted

So el- helps express the idea that the seedling ends up in that wilted state.

This is very common in Hungarian: the prefix often makes the event feel more complete or result-focused.

Because palánta is the subject of the second clause, and here it is treated as a specific or contextually identifiable thing: the seedling.

• palánta = seedling
• a palánta = the seedling

In practical use, Hungarian often uses the definite article in places where English might also use the, especially when talking about a particular item in the situation.

No, that would not be natural or correct here.

Hungarian singular count nouns usually need an article when they are used this way as ordinary subjects:

• a palánta = the seedling
• egy palánta = a seedling

Without an article, palánta would not work naturally here.

If you wanted an indefinite meaning, you would say:

• nehogy elhervadjon egy palánta = lest a seedling wither

But in your sentence, a palánta is the normal choice.

Because nehogy elhervadjon a palánta is a subordinate clause explaining the consequence to avoid.

Hungarian usually separates such clauses with a comma, especially when introduced by conjunctions like hogy, mert, ha, nehogy, etc.

So the comma marks the boundary between:

• the main command: Ne adj túl sok tápoldatot
• the subordinate clause of feared result: nehogy elhervadjon a palánta

The sentence is natural as it stands, but Hungarian word order is often flexible because it can show focus and emphasis.

The original version:

• Ne adj túl sok tápoldatot...

is a neutral, natural way to say it.

You could change the order in some contexts, but that would usually shift emphasis. For example, a different structure might highlight the quantity more strongly or contrast nutrient solution with something else.

So the important point is:

• the current order is normal and idiomatic
• different orders are possible, but not always neutral in tone

Because nehogy is a very common compact way to express fear of an unwanted outcome.

Compare the ideas:

• nehogy elhervadjon = lest it wither / so that it doesn’t wither
• hogy ne hervadjon el can also be grammatical in some contexts, but it does not sound exactly the same

Nehogy often carries a stronger sense of warning or prevention: be careful, because this bad thing might happen.

So in a caution like this, nehogy is especially natural.

It is neutral everyday Hungarian.

The form adj is singular and informal in the sense that it addresses one person directly, but that does not automatically make the sentence rude or overly casual. It is just the normal singular command form.

In a formal singular address, Hungarian would use a different construction, for example with ne adjon.

So this sentence sounds like something you might say to a friend, family member, colleague, or any person you address with te.

Yes. That is actually a good way to feel the Hungarian structure.

A very literal breakdown would be:

• Ne adj = don’t give
• túl sok tápoldatot = too much nutrient solution
• nehogy = lest / so that ... not
• elhervadjon = it may wither / it wither
• a palánta = the seedling

That literal version is useful for understanding the grammar, even if smoother English might phrase it differently.