Nothing I Have Seen Before

[dutch.lover]

hmmm... to answer your sand questions- we didn't add the sand ourselves, it just happens to be in the standard potting mix we buy (also has peat moss and perlite in it). We have all of our plants in the exact same soil mix, so i don't think that's the problem- although I really have no idea what else it could be. We have a pH tester, so maybe I will test the runoff water again and see how it is. We test the plants intermittently for pH, so maybe it's time to do that again. Thanks for your input, I hope you are right cause I have no clue what else it could be.

ps: some of our other plants have strange spotting too, but instead of darker spots, they're yellow. maybe that will help with the diagnosis...

[stinkyattic]

Maybe that batch of potting soil was not very well mixed and contained pockets of peat. That really looks ph-y to me anyway.
Did you do the runoff test yet?

[slowlickitysplit]

It looks exactly like what i had last week! I don't know what it was but I was overdue to repot. It has been about 4 days since I repotted and the problem seems to be clearing up. Only change I made was that I added 2 tablespoons of lime for every gallon of soil mix. I used Promix BX 50% and 50% perilite. Hope that helps.

[slowlickitysplit]

From the guildes the only thing else it could be IMO was a Ka deficiency which can be resolved by foliage feeding with 1 teaspoon (I think-better check!) of lime with a gallon of water. Let me know how it goes.

[slowlickitysplit]

Sorry. My problem looks to be Mg lockout. Got this from a plant health guide (this site???)...

Magnesium (Mg)
Magnesium is a component of the chlorophyll molecule and serves as a cofactor in most enzymes.
Magnesium (Mg) deficiency:
Magnesium deficiency will exhibit a yellowing (which may turn brown) and interveinal chlorosis beginning in the older leaves. The older leaves will be the first to develop interveinal chlorosis. Starting at leaf margin or tip and progressing inward between the veins. Notice how the veins remain somewhat green though as can be seen in figure 15.
Notice how in figure 16 and 17 the leaves curl upwards like they're praying? They're praying for Mg! The tips may also twist.
This can be quickly resolved by watering with 1 tablespoon Epsom salts/gallon of water. Until you can correct nutrient lockout, try foliar feeding. That way the plants get all the nitrogen and Mg they need. The plants can be foliar feed at ½ teaspoon/quart of Epsom salts (first powdered and dissolved in some hot water). When mixing up soil, use 2 teaspoon dolomite lime per gallon of soil.
If the starting water is above 200 ppm, that is pretty hard water, that will lock out mg with all of the calcium in the water. Either add a 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of epsom salts or lime (both will effectively reduce the lockout or invest into a reverse osmosis water filter.
Mg can get locked-up by too much Ca, Cl or ammonium nitrogen. Don't overdo Mg or you'll lock up other nutrients.


I don't know how to add a link. Hope this helped and keep us updated.

-Slow-

[dutch.lover]

first off, i havent tested the pH yet as i have been really busy but will do that tonight (accompanied with a flush as all the plants are probably overdue for one). also plan on repotting soon, and will try to put less peat in and more lime.

[PatrickHenry]

PH brotha, I think you have a nutrient lockout. See how the leaves are turning yellow and then dying at the tips? Get some distilled water from the grocery store (to ensure proper PH) and throw a tablespoon of epsom salt per gallon. That should clear it up for you.

Also, you may consider throwing in a nute that has some nitrogen, like fish emulsion (smells like crap, but works).

[dutch.lover]

I tested the pH of three plants with similar symptoms, and they were all 6.6pH. That's a good level is it not? Anyways, repotting is gonna happen soon (tonight if we pick up some more supplies) so hopefully that will fix things. Should I flush first before repotting them? I'm thinking yes...detox them! lol. umm don't really know what else to add right now...so thanks again for the help and i will let you know if/when things get better/worse!