Phalaenopsis equestris - pale green leaves

[camille1585]

The dosage I use is 1 tsp per gallon. As I can't be bothered to calculate what it is in metric, nor bother with weighing the stuff, I just dump 1 tsp in 4L of water.
The only orchid that gets the stuff on a regular basis is my Cym. No matter how much light it gets it will not bloom if I don't supplement it with magnesium. So the cym gets salts every 2-3 waterings most of the year. I have yet to use it on all the other orchids, but after seeing the water quality report of my area, I probably should. Our water is very soft.
Since Epsom salts are so very hard to find in Europe and quite expensive, I bought a carton in the US last time I went.

[RosieC]

I know those is an old thread but just wanted to add that my alba has very pale leaves and the nursery said that was normal for the alba

[camille1585]

My semi alba is also a light green. But not yellowy green. That reminds me, I watered my green-yellow Phal pallens twice with epsom salts, and the result is amazing. The leaves are now a nice light green AND the plant suddenly started growing roots and a leaf, both of which it had not done at all since getting it a year ago. So I conclude that it must have had an Mg deficiency...

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by camille1585

My semi alba is also a light green. But not yellowy green. That reminds me, I watered my green-yellow Phal pallens twice with epsom salts, and the result is amazing. The leaves are now a nice light green AND the plant suddenly started growing roots and a leaf, both of which it had not done at all since getting it a year ago. So I conclude that it must have had an Mg deficiency...

so does that mean that if u have pale/light green leaves, then its a Mg deficiency, but if they r yellow-y (and an alba) then thats the way they r supposed to look?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

so does that mean that if u have pale/light green leaves, then its a Mg deficiency, but if they r yellow-y (and an alba) then thats the way they r supposed to look?

Other way around. Light green leaves can be perfectly normal. And yellow leaves is not necessarily a sign of Mg deficiency, it could also be other nutrients, most commonly nitrogen. But I fertilize regularily, so it couldn't be nitrogen related. My fert has no Ca or Mg, and my tapwater is soft, which is why I tried Epsom salts.
Excessively high light will cause leaves to yellow, but not the case for me.

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Other way around. Light green leaves can be perfectly normal. And yellow leaves is not necessarily a sign of Mg deficiency, it could also be other nutrients, most commonly nitrogen. But I fertilize regularily, so it couldn't be nitrogen related. My fert has no Ca or Mg, and my tapwater is soft, which is why I tried Epsom salts.
Excessively high light will cause leaves to yellow, but not the case for me.

Ok, thanks! thats good to know... i knew about the leaf color in relation to light, but i was not quite sure about how to tell if an orchid has micro-nutrient deficiencies... are there any other tell-tale signs that show if an orchid (in general) has micro-nutrient deficiencies?

[nenella]

thanks Ill be doing this next watreing.

[JaneEyre]

I might try Epsom salt. The equestris is growing a spike at the moment (it's about 2.5 inches long right now). So I will get to confirm soon if it is an alba or just a nutrient deficiency. So far I think I am seeing a bit of pink tinge on the tip of a tiny bud. I am leaning towards nutrition problems.

[JaneEyre]

Here is a current picture of the spike.



I am seeing a lot of pink on the bud now, so I am assuming it will turn out normal color. I am starting to think either the plant got too much sun at the nursery before I got it or it is deficient on micro-nutrients. That can be adjusted
Either way, I am excited for the spike and can't wait until it opens.

[nenella]

Look forward to seeing your blooms!