Help! Kingianum leaves turning pink/red soft falling - Orchid Board

krienschmidt · #1 06-09-2018, 05:16 PM

Help from anyone! My Den kinginanum is turning a strange pink/red color, even the cane pseudobulbs, leaves soft and falling. It was doing great this spring after the winter dry rest, 5 or 6 new growths, now the new growth is the first to be changing to this pink color and leaves falling. The only change I made was to add some Epsom salt to the regular fertilizing, 1/2 teaspoon in a gallon of water twice a month. Same south window for 2 years. Could this extra magnesium actually being doing damage to my plant?? All my other orchids seem to like it. All ideas and help appreciated. Please see pictures enclosed.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ssues22018.jpg

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ssues32018.jpg

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...issues2018.jpg

fishmom · #2 06-09-2018, 05:43 PM

The red color looks like my kingianums when they are getting plenty of light. You don't show which leaves are getting yellow. If they are on older growths, it may just be the natural cycle of old dying/new taking its place. Is this possible?

krienschmidt · #3 06-09-2018, 05:54 PM

The leaves on the new growth are the ones turning red slowly. Turning soft, yellow at the base and falling loose. (middle picture) The old growth leaves are firm, green and unaffected. I have never seen anything like this, even the canes on new growth have a pink hue. Not like the dark red tinge they get from enough sun. Old ones are fine.

estación seca · #4 06-09-2018, 07:56 PM

Are you watering enough? This, and other Dens, should not dry out while pushing new growth.

krienschmidt · #5 06-09-2018, 10:53 PM

I think I will address this watering issue. I have been watering once a week but I think more often may be in order, especially with the warm weather and I have it in a clay pot. I think this will be a trial and error.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 06-10-2018, 11:09 PM

I think this following article should address the topic of magnesium toxicity in plants:

Characterisation of Magnesium Toxicity, its Influence on Amino Acid Synthesis Pathway and Biochemical Parameters of Tea - SciAlert Responsive Version

Epsom Salt, as you probably already may know is chemically known as magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).

The symptoms you describe sound remarkably similar to what was described in the linked article regarding magnesium toxicity. The article sites its results from experimentation done on the tea plant, but I imagine there are some similarities when used in orchids in excess.

I recommend the discontinuation of the use of Epsom Salt, (aka magnesium sulfate, MgSO4).

krienschmidt · #7 06-12-2018, 09:49 PM

Oh my gosh, thank you soooo much Phillip!! I have been watering the plant a bit more with clear water and it does seem to have perked up a lot, no more leaf loss. So much on line about how a bit of magnesium can do for your plants, it's hard for a novice like me ( 3 years growing orchids, still learning) to know what to try. This is a wonderful sight, when in doubt ASK!! Thank you all.

Optimist · #8 06-18-2018, 12:58 AM

Here is a similar Dend. Kingianum red or pink leaf issue thread from 2010. Long story short, the orchid whisperer says it's (probably) sunburn and the canes that are losing firmness and or/shriveling up are old canes naturally dying.Dendrobium leaf issue?

I have a dendrobium that has naturally pink leaf undersides and reddish colored canes. Many phals also have genetics where their anthocyanins is a bit more active than other orchids. In many cases, this is genetic, as in some people are tall, and some short. Anthocyanin is a thing to watch for fusarium wilt. I personally would not worry about that or start cutting up your plants until you have ruled out other problems like natural senescence, and anthocyanine due to sun intensity.

krienschmidt · #9 06-18-2018, 01:12 PM

Please God, No fusarium. I'm going with a bit more water for now. No added mg. I have 2 Kingianums, one about 1/3 the size of the problem one. The small one has no issues at all, doing great. Treated them both the same. Who knows, trial and error. Thanks for you input.

estación seca · #10 06-18-2018, 01:16 PM

Don't worry about fusarium. The small one needs a lot less water compared to the large one in absolute terms, so it's less underwatered than the big one. If it's shorts weather where the plant sits, don't let it dry out. If you have it in any kind of suitable medium you can water every day. During the hottest part of our summer I water mine twice a day.