Leaf tip dieback

11 years ago

Brainstorm with me here.

Ive got a bat flower which has had this same problem since i got it. The leaves die back from the tip, especially when they are first emerging. Even to the point of not having any leaf left by the time it is supposed to unfurl.

It is planted in gritty mix (though without dolomitic lime as was suggested). The humidity in here is generally 50%. I water it maybe every 3 days. Usually I use distilled water.

I have ruled out a humidity issue, I believe. A week ago I moved the plant so it is directly over an open fish tank. I have watered it twice since then. The leaves, however, are still dying back. What am I missing?

Featured Answer

jane__ny

11 years ago

I grow a few of these. Mine are planted in regular Miracle Grow. They sit in big pots under an oak tree.

I don't do much with them and they flower each year. I do keep them watered as they will wilt. They like to be kept moist. Mine have tripled in size in 2 years. Enormous plants with no die back.
But, they do like water and do not like to dry out and are water hogs. I use rain water but occasionally use the hose.

Biggest problem in Florida are snails. They love those leaves. I also bring the plant in when temps drop under 60's. They are in my porch now as temps dropped last week. Absolutely gorgeous plants!

This is a photo from 2013.

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Comments (10)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
How are you fertilizing? Adding anything else to the plant's nutritional intake?

Did you screen the ingredients when you made the soil (a roundabout way of asking if we can rule out over-watering)?

Al
lauraeli_
Original Author
11 years ago
It only gets fertilized occasionally with african violet fertilizer, 7-7-7. The ingredients were screened and rinsed. I used the smallest bark size, but it is still more coarse than potting soil. The bat flower is a water hog anyway. And the mix does dry rather quickly.

I am actually thinking it might be a calcium deficiency, or something similar. Though Ive never seen it in person, just pictures. Im going to water it with the water from boiled eggshells and see if that helps. I hope it doesnt get stinky :-p
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hookilau
11 years ago
from internet searches and pics, I'd guess Ca deficiency too.

I don't boil my eggshells though. I've never had any issues with odors.

I keep a plastic basket (lined with paper towels) by the sink and when I make breakfast or use eggs, I rinse the shells and put them in there to dry.

Once dry, I crush and put them in a recycled plastic container. Once I have a fair amount, I break out my handy, dandy coffee grinder.

Grind egg shells to fine powder and use to sprinkle in the garden as needed.
hookilau
11 years ago
Got to thinking last night. While egg shells may work for the garden, using cal/mag supplement is probably a better choice for a container plant.

I have a couple of Adenium that are exhibiting similar characteristics on young leaves, while older leaves are turning lightly chlorotic.

I'm going to try some maxi bloom I happen to have on hand (has Ca/mag) and see if that helps. I certainly try to keep them on the drier side as I hadn't gotten around to repotting into a more mineral based mix before Fall.
hookilau
11 years ago
Got to thinking last night. While egg shells may work for the garden, using cal/mag supplement is probably a better choice for a container plant.

I have a couple of Adenium that are exhibiting similar characteristics on young leaves, while older leaves are turning lightly chlorotic.

I'm going to try some maxi bloom I happen to have on hand (has Ca/mag) and see if that helps. I certainly try to keep them on the drier side as I hadn't gotten around to repotting into a more mineral based mix before Fall.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
11 years ago
I agree. Egg shells are essentially insoluble CaCO3; plus, adding only Ca w/o appropriately increasing the Mg supply may create an antagonistic Mg deficiency. Good call!

I wouldn't use the MaxiBloom though. No plant uses more P than N, so supplying more P than N has only the potential to limit. Not only that, excessive P in soils makes it more difficult for plants to absorb Ca (and K and Cu and Mg and Z. It also raises pH and unnecessarily contributes to the o/a level of salts (EC/TDS) in the soil solution. One of the primary symptoms associated with an excessive P supply is chlorosis.

Al
jane__ny
11 years ago
I fertilize mine with orchid fertilizer sparingly. Gets rain water. Sits under a tree and snails love the leaves. I do not get brown tips. The holes and chewed leaves are from the snails. I just moved it back on my patio because the temps dropped. Doesn't like cold.

Maybe you need to flush out the pot in case you have build up of fertilizer?

{{gwi:2118142}}
lauraeli_
Original Author
11 years ago
I did use the water from boiled eggshells, and have noticed a difference. I am going to try it one more time and see if it improves more.

Whether it is the calcium itself, or the change in PH, I cant say. And it may still be too early to tell what effect it has.
I realize there may be better sources of calcium for potted plants, but funds dont permit right now.
cooperdr_gw
11 years ago
I want to grow that type of plant but I'm confused as to why the seeds are sold as "houseplant" seeds. Of course temperature is part of it but it doesn't really look like a plant that would do well indoors. That might have something to do with it.