If you suspect a magnesium deficiency you can easily test for it by adding around 5-10 ppm of magnesium to the water and watching the plants to see if they grow better and more healthy. That is far better than trying to determine the need for magnesium by looking at plants that aren't doing well.
Signs of magnesium deficiency?
What are the symptoms of Mg deficiency?
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I don't have any on hand and would rather avoid ordering any unless necessary. Here's my problem:
![Leaf Terrestrial plant Flowering plant Herbaceous plant Buckthorn family]()
Note the color of the detached leaf (one of two today) in comparison to the top of the same plant below. Also note the detached Cyperus blade - vals die quickly in here and Cyperus is barely holding its own.
This is a modified EI-dosed tank:
KNO3 - 3x 1/4 tsp
KH2PO4 - 3x 1/16 tsp
K2SO4 - 3x 1/16 tsp
CSM+B - 3x 1/16 tsp
DC - light green, maxed out
I also use root tabs and eco-complete, which should be fully charged. I don't dose GH Booster since tap is 8-9 dGH; theoretically a magnesium deficiency is a possibility.
Note the color of the detached leaf (one of two today) in comparison to the top of the same plant below. Also note the detached Cyperus blade - vals die quickly in here and Cyperus is barely holding its own.
This is a modified EI-dosed tank:
KNO3 - 3x 1/4 tsp
KH2PO4 - 3x 1/16 tsp
K2SO4 - 3x 1/16 tsp
CSM+B - 3x 1/16 tsp
DC - light green, maxed out
I also use root tabs and eco-complete, which should be fully charged. I don't dose GH Booster since tap is 8-9 dGH; theoretically a magnesium deficiency is a possibility.
looking at that plant it rather looks like Fe deficiency. Mg deficiency looks similar but it start from the bottom of the plant and goes up, bottom leaves of that plant are green, so no Mg deficiency in your case.I don't have any on hand and would rather avoid ordering any unless necessary. Here's my problem:
View attachment 54456
Note the color of the detached leaf (one of two today) in comparison to the top of the same plant below. Also note the detached Cyperus blade - vals die quickly in here and Cyperus is barely holding its own.
This is a modified EI-dosed tank:
KNO3 - 3x 1/4 tsp
KH2PO4 - 3x 1/16 tsp
K2SO4 - 3x 1/16 tsp
CSM+B - 3x 1/16 tsp
DC - light green, maxed out
I also use root tabs and eco-complete, which should be fully charged. I don't dose GH Booster since tap is 8-9 dGH; theoretically a magnesium deficiency is a possibility.
try increasing the Fe
That's a transplanted hygro that had beautiful leaves mottled red and green when acquired. The lower leaves have darkened and are falling off like the one floating in the corner. One still attached can be seen on the right side.
The new growth seen in the center is a lighter green.
The new growth seen in the center is a lighter green.
You do not need to order MgSO4 just go buy some epsom salts for a couple bucks from the local drug store/grocery store.I don't have any on hand and would rather avoid ordering any unless necessary.
High GH out of the tap is usually suggestive that there are both Ca and Mg, but not always!
Easiest thing to do: Add some Epsom salt to the tank, see if the plants improve.
Easiest thing to do: Add some Epsom salt to the tank, see if the plants improve.
I'm picking up some today and assuming it should be dosed weekly, like GH Booster, at the dose Hoppy suggested.
Thanks!
Thanks!
The last word I read on dosing magnesium is to dose 3 times as much as you are dosing CSM+B - if you dose 1/4 tsp of CSM+B, dose 3/4 tsp of magnesium sulfate. If you dose the CSM+B 3X per week, also dose the MgSO4 at the same time.I'm picking up some today and assuming it should be dosed weekly, like GH Booster, at the dose Hoppy suggested.
Thanks!
I jotted this on a scratch pad when I read it - I think it was from Plantbrain.
Loss of leaves was my issue when I had a Mg deficiency. My crypts would just start losing leaves one by one.
Mg works a bit like magic. You can start seeing improvement in the affected plants almost overnight.
Hoppy's dosing notes sound correct.
Mg works a bit like magic. You can start seeing improvement in the affected plants almost overnight.
Hoppy's dosing notes sound correct.
We'll see how it goes but I think we're on the right track. Thanks for all the assistance especially on the dosing.
Lost several more hygro leaves during WC today, mostly from mid-level. One in particular was both curved downward and strongly cupped and the edges were discolored.
Tomorrow is Day 2 of Mg dosing.
Tomorrow is Day 2 of Mg dosing.
Found another detached hygro leaf, though it could have trapped during the WC on Sunday. Tomorrow is the third dose.
What is the GH doing when you dose?
If it is just going up, then the plants are not using much of the added Mg. Problem may be something else.
If it goes up when you dose, then drops a bit over the next few days then the plants are using some of it. You are on the right track with adding Mg.
If it is just going up, then the plants are not using much of the added Mg. Problem may be something else.
If it goes up when you dose, then drops a bit over the next few days then the plants are using some of it. You are on the right track with adding Mg.
Thank's for this Hoppy.The last word I read on dosing magnesium is to dose 3 times as much as you are dosing CSM+B - if you dose 1/4 tsp of CSM+B, dose 3/4 tsp of magnesium sulfate. If you dose the CSM+B 3X per week, also dose the MgSO4 at the same time.
I jotted this on a scratch pad when I read it - I think it was from Plantbrain.
According to local water report,my tapwater is mostly calcium with very little magnesium.
I have it seem's acccidentally been adding the epsom salt at correct dosage according to now healthy plant 's, which happen's to be what has been suggested.
Hardness test doesn't distinguish between CA,magnesium,and I knew I was adding enough FE.
It was 8 on Sunday after the WC and before any dosing. The only Mg dosing since was 3/16 tsp on Monday. Today's dGH is 9, prior to the next Mg dose. I will monitor daily to see how that changes.What is the GH doing when you dose?
If it is just going up, then the plants are not using much of the added Mg. Problem may be something else.
If it goes up when you dose, then drops a bit over the next few days then the plants are using some of it. You are on the right track with adding Mg.
I will post a better pic of the deficiency damage tonight.
your other plants are also loosing leaves, i think this looks like more of flow circulation issue. i had leaves keep on dropping till i fix the flow issue.
Yes, the Ludwigia's suffering too. This tank had a lily pipe flowing laterally across the front from the left of this pic. The return is just out of sight at the bottom left. I switched out the lily pipe for a spray bar on Sunday.
Edit to add: flow from the lily pipe was high enough to damage/disrupt e. Vesuvius next to the glass on the far side of the tank. I turned it down a bit but that was after these symptoms had already manifested.
Edit to add: flow from the lily pipe was high enough to damage/disrupt e. Vesuvius next to the glass on the far side of the tank. I turned it down a bit but that was after these symptoms had already manifested.
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
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