Tropicals & Tender Perennials: freaky BSI-1, 1 by markroy68

markroy68 wrote:
As usual, BSI-1 has been acting freaky, chlorotic new leaves with irreguar patches of chlorosis, also with the chlorotic tissue thinner than surrounding tissue, rosetting, distorted leaf margins, and have been continuing to do research on possible causes. I've come up with several possible deficiencies:
Zinc, manganese, boron, and iron- I think manganese or zinc are most likely- they can be deficient due to high phosporous or low nitrogen, even if they are present in the soil/ fertilizer. Also possible are excesses of phosphorous or iron, although I think this is less likely. Due to interactions between soil, fertilizer, and ph levels, any of these or other elements can build up or become unavailable. I switched my potting mix to a ph balanced one some months ago, and am switching from my balanced 16-16-16 fertilizer with all micronutrients to Dyna-gro foliage pro, 9-3-6. I also added some chelated iron/mag/zinc/calcium to the mix, which may prove to be a mistake. I think an excess of iron may be what David Liddle refered to as heavy metal poisoning- he recomended a high nitrogen fertilizer, which my research confirms should be helpful. It seems the higher nitrogen will help plants take up other elements they may be deficient in. I'll report again on this. I hope it works quickly, as BSI-1 is looking VERY poorly.