Magnesium Deficiency in Orchids - 11 Cases - Symptoms and Cure

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

Also, if you're getting mag def, you're probably having calcium deficiency as well. Probably the easiest thing is to get some straight calcium nitrate or find some cal mag tomato fertilizer and use the Epsom salts in your bath. Calcium deficiency is common in tomatoes, so often...at least in the USA, there are cal mag supplements for tomatoes. I just googled 'professional fertilizers' and found a company that manufactures dozens of different formulas for other companies, but I think that might be a good place to start. Alternatively, you might find a botany teacher at a local university and ask if he can make you a fertilizer with the msu formula. just print it out and take it and say, 'I need something like this'. My teacher was always saying we could make our own fertilizer for our plant experiments.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

As it's winter now, I'm carrying on with my organic Kelp-based fertiliser - it's very weak? Just checked and it does have mag but as a trace element so very low amount. This is one of the 'down sides' of RO water - getting a suitable balanced fertiliser for that type of water (I remember well why you stopped using the 'nameless one'). I do have a giant tub of the MSU stuff that was bought back from the states by a viewer and then posted on to me but I was waiting until the start of the growing season to start using it. In the meantime, I'm mixing tap water and RO water and for those not resting, some of the added kelp stuff. I will look of for the signs - thanks for all the work and tips - very useful.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I think Mg isn't needed in high dosages. I'll start slowly just to be on the safe side. But since I have to fill up the storages it will be much more than in a regular fertilizer. Haha, yeah, I stopped using the 'nameless one', because it liquified and another one because it wouldn't dissolve. I tried multiple fertilizers that weren't to my liking. Maybe I can get my hands on the MSU formula. If not I'll keep using the fertilizers I have plus epsom salts and hope it's going to be all right. Thanks for watching and happy growing! :)

[@orchidsadutchy4940]

Thanks for making this video! It was very interesting, specially because in your case, you can be sure this is magnesium deficiency, since the fertilizer you were using doesn't have this macronutrient. I think probably in the long run, if the situation weren't reversed, the plants would start to have problems, because if the chlorophyll production was impaired, the plants wouldn't be able to produce all the nutrition they need. That article by Susan Botton is very interesting. This spring, my brassavola nodosa was showing signs of magnesium deficiency, but at the time I didn't know what it was, specially because it's normal for a brassavola nodosa to get purple with the light, but the normal is in the summer, and this time it was in the spring, without direct sunlight. Then I read somewhere about magnesium deficiency causing the red tinge in cattleyas. It might have been in a video or article by Fred Clarke, or I might be wrong, I can't remember. Then I decided to buy epson salts and try it. It worked wonderfully! The leaves turned green again! I was very surprised! The thing that worries me is that my fertilizer has magnesium, and all the other plants are doing ok. So if the brassavola has magnesium deficiency, it could be a sign of something bad, a disease (or maybe it just didn't recover well enough from the repotting or didn't like the media). The leaves are also shriveled. I divided it in the summer, and I don't remember seeing any signs of fusarium, but I wasn't looking for it. I hope the plant is ok. It's making roots and new shoots, though the old leaves look bad. And they are getting purple again. I will give it more magnesium. I hope it will be ok.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Andrea, thank you! :) Yes, I'm pretty sure that it's magnesium deficiency and it fell like scales from my eyes when I noticed that this fertilizer didn't contain magnesium. I think they might have had this deficiency for at least a year, maybe even two or longer. I can't really trace it back, because I don't know which fertilizer I used back then. Do you remember how much epsom salts you used? Maybe you could send me a picture some time or show your Brassavola in an update. :) Roots&shoots are a very good sign! I'll keep my fingers crossed for it, it's such a nice plant. It didn't cross my mind that a red tinge could be a deficiency symptom. I thought it was a good sign and my light levels must be just great. Haha. :D Have a very nice weekend and pet Hugo from me! :)

[@OrchieDee]

I hope you don't mind Bumblebee but I mentioned this video on my latest video and included a link to it in my description xx

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I don't mind, I thank you! :) Happy growing!

[@lyndalmorse6555]

Thank you! I have some orchids that look like this. Very helpful thanks

[@juliaaoable]

Thanks for this video. Lots to consider. Please post updates. And I love your app by the way!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Julia! :) I really hope to see some improvements and will keep you updated. Thanks for letting me know that you like the app. I'm always happy and relieved when I hear that. :) Happy growing!

[@PictureMaria1]

I love your videos. They are always jam packed with great information! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Maria! :) Have a wonderful week and happy growing!

[@orchidmaniac234]

That's a very interesting topic and very useful information. It will be interesting to see if the diagnosis is confirmed. Thanks for sharing!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Orchid Maniac, I'll let you know if I see major improvements. :) Happy growing!

[@oliviasorchidsmore2500]

I think you and I have the same issue with our orchids. I'm been having tiny leaves on my orchids for the pass year, so I got a artificial light setup and changed my fertilizer to MSU. The information I've been getting is remarkable! Magnesium and calcium deficiencies is not something I wish on anyone. I hope our orchids improve. Looking forward to updates.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Oh yeah, light can be a deal breaker. It has been so gloomy for months now. :/ I didn't have the tiny leaf problem, they seemed to get enough nitrogen, but I'm glad I finally found out about magnesium and its relevance. I'll keep my fingers crossed for the both of us. Happy growing, Olivia! :)

[@nashuwareneemiller6501]

Hello, Yes you do have a magnesium deficiency .I grow hydrangeas and whenever the leaves are like that its the lack of MSU.You can use the fertilizer with MSU or add Epsom salt to the water when watering. I hope this helps.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Renee, that's interesting, thanks for telling me. :) It would be great if epsom could solve the problem. Happy growing!

[@HamimChowdhury]

Dear friend I like to know what environment catsm loves to grow. I have a balcony which gets indirect light all the day as its noth facing !! but after 3pm till sun set the belcony gets sweer soft sunlight . now my cars in grow house ! But for better care i love to out it down to my balcony!! whats you suggession

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Hamin, to me it sounds as if they would appreciate a bit more sunlight. But actually I cannot help since I don't grow any Catasetums. There are other youtubers who grow them who might be able to help. Happy growing! :)

[@marygorchidsmore2058]

As always, very informative video. Thankfully this is a minor problem(not like bugs or virused orchid) and it's easy to rectify it. Looking forward to see your future update after feeding them with magnesium!Hopefully they'll be fine.Thanks for sharing.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, MaryG! :) So true, it's a minor problem compared to bugs and virused plants. And I really hope this problem can be easily fixed. l'll let you know if I see an improvement. Happy growing!

[@mandyorchids4938]

Excellent video, I am so interested to see the results. I will look at my orchids much more closely and look for these signs.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Arlene, thank you! I really hope to see some improvements and will keep you updated. :) Happy growing!

[@judymoraga5536]

BB, this info is very helpful. I have similar symtoms so am going to check my fertlizers. not all my phals though. but yes, I noticed that in some cases yellowing of older leaves occured too fast, and that newer leaves look very normal.. I will read all the articles you posted. thanks again.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Judy, I'm glad you found the video helpful. I hope we can improve our plants' health in the future. It would be great if this problem could be easily fixed. :)

[@fionagrace2111]

I am in the UK and I bought two tubs on ebay, it is posted from the USA but they combined postage so it made it worthwhile!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thanks for the hint, fiona! I'll check that out. :) Happy growing!

[@fatimapereira8839]

Please advise, how should I apply Epsom salts. Spray it on the leaves and roots or some other method? appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Maybe spraying it on the leaves works as well, but I've never tried that. I used it in addition to my regular fertiliser when I watered them (the roots that is). Happy growing! :)

[@HamimChowdhury]

Do you think a circulation fan at balcony might help grow better ? Any possibility of pulling hot air inside ?? Which might damage plant

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I have no idea, because I've never used a fan. I'd say if it's really hot where you live air circulation might help to cool down the plant through convection.

[@HamimChowdhury]

Bumblebee's Orchids I am placing 2 circulating cooling fan on my balcony ceiling ! Lets experiment !! Finger X

[@susanmoisey2368]

What a great informative video! Have your orchids improved after supplementing with magnesium?

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Susan, I'm not quite sure. I've seen slight improvements in the light green Phals (greener leaves, less yellowing), but maybe they were just enjoying the summer. I haven't used very high dosages, though, because the recommended dosages seemed quite high to me. I plan on using a bit more during the next few months, because I haven't noticed any negative effects or sensitivity. I think I'll take another look at them to assess the effect in November when one year has passed and maybe make a video. :)

[@arturof7391]

Thanks for the various examples, so we can learn together. My fertiliser does say it contains the mineral but just as a footnote, so probably not much? A bit worrisome... Interesting that you still get plenty of flower spikes. Looking forward to an update on how quickly they recover

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Arturo! I think orchids don't need much magnesium, but if their storages are completely emptied and must be refilled, a higher dosage will be beneficial, I guess. But I'll start slow, just to be on the save side. I'm not sure if flowering is impaired, too. Some are flowering very well, but some could flower way better. Happy growing! :)

[@seanrosson5689]

I find if you plant in any kind of Cocco coir medium the Cocco coir will steal the magnesium and hold onto it making it hard for the plant to uptake the nutrients so you will have to add extra

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

That’s very interesting. Thank you for sharing this thought. Happy growing! 🍀🌱

[@bmell1252]

Oh, I was looking for help with my cattleya... the leaves look just the same as your Phal. So, I think I have a diagnosis now and I guess I better get Epsom salts!! Also, I thought the exact same thing about the red (I think it looks more purple) but I thought my orchids were just getting tan over the winter because of the sun angle change (all of mine are outside). Yes, very helpful, thanks again! Happy growing!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I'm glad the video could help. Good luck with your Cattleyas and happy growing! :)

[@SHARONSHORTOrchidsandGarden]

Thanks so much for sharing and happy growing.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Sharon and happy growing! :)

[@OrchidNerd]

Thank you for the great explanation and overview. I hope that adding epsom salts works!

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you! Happy growing! :)

[@NYCOrchidQueen]

just saw rick L's video and it lead me here. great video

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+NYC Orchid Queen That's cool, thank you. 😊 Happy growing!

[@omietopi]

I would have thought that these are signs of iron deficiency 🤔. I've never seen it on my orchids though but on some of my houseplants. I hope your orchids will be perfectly fine after your treatment. Have a nice evening !

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Bettina! My Rhynchostylis gigantea had pale spots, too. It started a few years ago, they only appeared in autumn and disappeared in spring. Today I think it might be temperature related and that it could be Magnesium deficiency. But when I noticed it for the first time I thought it could be iron deficiency and started to use a fertilizer that contained iron and it worked. But I just checked the label, it contains both, magnesium and iron. I'll have to do some research on iron, too, though. Thanks for the hint! :)

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thank you for a very informative video. It will be interesting to see how your plants improve. I stopped using epsom salts this year but should perhaps start again! Looking forward to the update.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Rachel. Maybe. :) But if you used epsom salts in the past the plants' storages were probably full. I really hope to see some improvements and will keep you updated. :) Happy growing!

[@dianebeattie3968]

Very informative, I think you helped me diagnose a problem I have had for some time... At what frequency would you treat with epsom salts ? Can you add it to regular fertilizer when you use it ? Thank you !

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Diana, that would be great! As long as we ensure that the total amount of salts isn't too high it will be okay or even beneficial to use epsom salts combined with a regular fertilizer, I suppose. I'll use it in small dosages with almost every watering as long as the symptoms remain apparent. Here's what the AOS says: www.aos.org/orchids/orchids-question-answer/epsom-salts.aspx Happy growing! :)

[@christrinder1255]

Excellent instructive video, thank you!😊😊

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

+Chris Trinder I'm glad you liked it. :) Happy growing!

[@glendaurmacher3266]

you can use epsom salt for magnesium.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

I know, thanks Glenda. :)

[@ericahannickel3244]

So helpful! Thank you. Love your videos, Bumblebee.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Erica. Happy growing! :)

[@TracMcNguyen]

Thanks again for yet another informative video. Those links for the different papers are great resources. I've had two phals that produced new leaves that appeared to have unevenly distributed chlorophyll over the summer. I'm not sure if this is due to Mg deficiency but the problem has since then disappeared, but I didn't intervene. So I guess we keep doing the same, lol. The other sign of Mg deficiency is quite confusing (the anthocyanin one). I guess I should be concerned only if it follows colder temperatures. Many of my orchids are producing quite a bit of anthocyanin since I've placed them under grow lights. I've been thinking it's due to the intensity of the lights, but I don't know now. :/

[@juliaaoable]

Trac McNguyen some of my cattleyas have turned quite red, the ones with orange/purple blooms especially. This has happened quite quickly since I put them under my new LED light setup in September. They're not cold though.......

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Trac, thank you! :) Even with the purple colour my Cattleyas were doing quite fine. But on the AOS page I read that Magnesium can be "critical to the flower-initiation process in orchids" and that's quite interesting! My Brassocattleya Yellow Bird is completely green now, although it had a very intense purple tint during summer time. The other ones kept their purple colour, it even intensified during autumn/winter and that's what puzzled me. If the red/purple colour on your orchids appeared when you placed them under the grow lights that's nothing to worry about, though, I would say. :)

[@poodlepup1]

just been given this link to your page from Rick L.. great information...how often do you use the ES on the phals etc

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Chris, that's very nice of Rick, I wasn't aware that he knows my video. :) I haven't used very high dosages, because the recommended dosages seemed quite high to me. I plan on using a bit more during the next few months, because I haven't noticed any negative effects or sensitivity. I went through 100g Epsom salts in the past year and I used it for most of my plants (about 80). Happy growing! :)

[@chichi4012]

is there a app link for android users

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

No, I'm sorry. There might be an android version in the future, but if so, we're not sure when.

[@desertplantsofavalon]

Such an informative and very helpful video :-) thanks a million for sharing this and sending you an abundance of love and heaps of happiness from right across the Emerald Isle for a FANTASTIC Friday ahead XXXXXX

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you for watching, Lyn! :) I hope you and Sean have a wonderful Sunday evening. Happy growing!

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

I was under the impression that a lot of European fertilizers had five numbers instead of three. Those five being npk and cal and mag. Maybe it wasn't European countries though. I've found that the majority of orchid fertilizers..actually every orchid fertilizer I've ever found in stores has not been adequate. (Except one, but it was hard to find.) Before the msu came out, a lot of orchid growers just use stuff for regular plants but not stuff from stores... Stuff like peter's and others for commercial nurseries.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Maybe. Some also contain Calcium as a fifth number. I did an experiment with a bloom booster (10-20-30) and was under the impression that it worked: a few Phals that didn't bloom for years started to bloom after a few months. Then I read the article "A New Fertilizer Without High Phosphorus Proves Itself with Orchids" - so I guess it was just an illusion? I've tried out a few fertilizers. The liquid fertilizer that I used for about a year was easy to use, but it didn't contain magnesium. I have a liquid fertilizer that I spill everytime I use it due to the bottles (two components have to be mixed). One powdered fertilizer doesn't dissolve no matter what I try (shaking, hot water). Another powdered fertilizer that I bought because it contained Calcium liquified after it had absorbed tons of water (it was my fault, I didn't have a suitable container). One liquid fertilizer had tons of precipitations (solid cristals, I could hear them when I shook the bottle). Maybe I can get my hands on the MSU formula. If not I'll keep using the fertilizers I have plus epsom salts and hope it's going to be all right. Thanks for the hint about the tomato fertilizer, though. I'll keep my eyes open!

[@indoororchidsandtropicals358]

Yeah k lite. Ive got some of that but haven't used it enough. I kind of specifically got it for a phrag in leca. I've been using the MSU for years but two sib maximas still get cal def, so I supplement wth chelated calcium. Oh, but the one that turned to liquid with calcium in it- I'm guessing it's got calcium nitrate in it which will do that, but unless it has precipitates in it, it should still be fine. Just measure the same amount and it's pretty close. Also, I was reading something about making up your own flasking medium and they said you can dissolve a 500 mg calcium tablet in an ounce of vinegar and let it fizz till it doesn't smell like vinegar anymore. There may be some binders in the pill that won't dissolve, but this gives you calcium acetate which you can use for orchids. I'm under the impression that if you give mg, you also need calcium because the balance of nutrients can get out of balance, but I'd have to double check. The best info on nutrients I ever read was in a book about growing pot that belonged to a friend of mine. I can't remember the title, but I want to get my own copy because it had everything from nutrient imbalances, deficiencies and overdoses to info on light spectrum.

[@sunahyun6339]

Thank you for this video! I have few Phals. that's doing this and wondered what the problem was. I'll try Epsom salt.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Sunah! :) I'd say start rather slowly with the epsom salts just to be on the safe side. I hope our Phals will do better with it soon. :)

[@michaelbrodzik2790]

Very informative! Thanks for sharing

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Thank you, Michael! Happy growing! :)

[@libbyslittlegarden9514]

mz. Bee what I meant was getting a notification from you and saying that you have a new video I might have left that message from a previous video that I watched cuz I'll go in to your Channel and watch videos that you have made in the past because I would like to catch up to all of your videos so that's what probably happened I do have your Channel with the notification all the time so you will hear from me because I do watch him happy growing and thank you for all your information I am going to watch this video now which I'm very interested in

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Libby, oh my, sorry for the delay in replying. I'm just catching up with the comments to be able to release a new video hopefully today. :) I hope you found some useful information. Have a wonderful weekend and happy growing! :)

[@--Paws--]

Thank you for this.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

You're very welcome. Happy growing! :)

[@zealnaturalzealforlifecom]

thanks for sharing...i hope you don't mind i will share your video to our group in facebook water culture orchids and general orchid care...this is yellowbird g perkins thanks again Bumblebee

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi there, I don't mind. But thank you for letting me know (I'm not on facebook)! :) I hope it will be useful for someone. Happy growing! :)

[@dms0110]

This is good to know. Thank you.

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

You're very welcome. Thanks for stopping by. :)

[@janaespandrova2724]

Thanks for nice video. I think you are right, as many down here said... I have it on one my primary hybrid Phal, I started to treat it about half year ago and I must say, it lasts really long time to turn it back to nice darker green color. My Phal is much more better now, it is more small light green spots on darker green leaves now :) And I am using some fertilizer with high Mg content (but has many more), which I found on my grandmas garden, it is dark brown fluid, it should be used for vegetables and fruits :D I am using it carefully and it works perfect. So dont forget to look in some another kind of fertilizers.. :) So good luck! :)

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Jana, thanks for telling me that it took some time to finally work. I'll try to be patient. :D It's a bit frustrating to have so many fertilizers and none of them is perfect. Happy growing and have a very nice weekend. :)

[@libbyslittlegarden9514]

mz. Bee ... it looks like you haven't made a video in a long time at least none that I can see I know you're busy with your app for your iPhone but don't abandon us Android users

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi Libby, thank you for your message! :) I've released more than 20 videos since the one under which you commented. I really wonder why you cannot see them? I've heard that you can click that little bell symbol so that you receive notifications whenever someone posts a new video. :)

[@OrchidudeBcn]

Hey! Thank you for the very informative video. I myself use an MSU formula fertilizer I purchased in the US from First Rays. Prior to that I was using the infamous "Rain Mix" which is also "MSU type" but the formula at the time was problematic for myself and several other users, as I'm sure you remember. Anyway, they changed the formula and composition since then and I think it is now safe to use again. You can buy it from Akerne's in Belgium. If you have any problems, I'll gladly send you some of mine like I sent to Dani, so you can try it if you like. Thank you for sharing ;)

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

We all remember the 'nameless one'. I'm not sure what the mix is like now, but on their web-site they're still showing nearly 5% sulfur which I believe is far too high for use in 'non-soil based' media in fact, with all the work that was done at the time, many came to the same conclusions that this was the cause of the problems when they dramatically increased the amount. I can't wait to try the MSU stuff at the start of the next growing season - it looks perfect for use with RO water.

[@OrchidudeBcn]

Roger Frampton I think you're gonna love it. I've been using it consistently for 4 months now and have seen nothing but positive results. The proof is in the pudding. Spikes, buds and blooms abound! I do flush/water with just pure RO water once a month, as you would using any fertilizer regularly, I would imagine. ;)

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

Hi John, I just wanted to make sure to let you know that I didn't just ignore your kind message. I had sent you a private message a few weeks ago, but .. youtube, I guess! ;) Happy growing! :)

[@OrchidudeBcn]

Bumblebee no problem, I didn't get it, but thank you anyway. Yeah, KZbin has been kinda screwy lately...a couple of people were unsubscribed from my channel, unbeknownst to them. And you're the second person to point out a missing message. Take care and happy growing ;)

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

If you've noticed, they've been messing with the way notifications are displayed/handled especially via the 'little bell symbol'.

[@jersongeorgekg1383]

👍👍👍👍👍😍👌👌👌👌👌

[@bumblebeesorchids3408]

😃🍀🙏