What are the symptoms of orchid lack of fertilizer?

When it comes to fertilizing, the words people often mention are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but there are far more fertilizers than just these. They also include magnesium, copper, manganese, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, boron, etc. If each element is lacking, the symptoms shown by orchids are different. Let’s take a look!

Symptoms of nitrogen deficiency in orchids

Nitrogen mainly promotes leaf growth. When nitrogen is deficient, new leaves grow obviously poorly, are shorter, narrower and thinner than old leaves, and are light yellow in color and lack luster.

Solution: Irrigate the roots with potassium sulfate compound fertilizer solution, or spray the leaves with urea solution in the evening, once every 3 to 5 days, spray three times in a row, and the new leaves will slowly return to normal.

Symptoms of phosphorus deficiency in orchids

Phosphorus fertilizer can promote the growth of leaf buds. When orchids lack phosphorus fertilizer, their leaf buds grow slowly, take a long time to grow roots, and the leaf edges appear to curl.

Solution: Choose potassium superphosphate extract for root irrigation, and irrigate twice every 10 days. Or spray phosphorus fertilizer on the leaves once every 3 to 5 days, and spray 3 times in a row.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency in orchids

If orchids lack magnesium, their leaves will turn yellow. Especially for old leaves, the tips and edges of the leaves will turn yellow and the leaves will curl.

Solution: You can use 0.5% magnesium sulfate solution to spray the leaves in the evening, once every three to five days. Spray three to five times in a row, and the problem will be corrected.

Symptoms of potassium deficiency in orchids

The symptoms of potassium deficiency in orchids are yellowing of leaf edges and tips. First, the old leaves turn yellow, then slowly spread to the new leaves, and gradually turn from yellow to brown. Moreover, the leaves of the plant are relatively soft and easy to bend. If exposed to strong light or low temperatures, the leaves will become dehydrated.

Solution: You can first use 0.5% potassium sulfate solution to water the roots and spray the leaves, or you can apply wood ash.

Symptoms of manganese deficiency in orchids

If orchids lack manganese, they are easily sunburned. Even if there is shade, sunburn-like spots will still appear on the leaves, with spots within spots, and the flower buds will not develop. Neutral, calcareous and sandy soils are more likely to show symptoms of manganese deficiency.

Solution: Spray the leaves with 0.3% manganese sulfate solution three times to correct the problem.

Symptoms of calcium deficiency in orchids

Calcium deficiency in orchids is manifested by hooked leaf tips, which seriously affects the shape of the plant.

Solution: You can use 1.0% lime solution to water the roots once, or you can use 3% solution of animal calcium powder to water them once to correct the problem.

Symptoms of iron deficiency in orchids

The main symptom of orchid iron deficiency is that the young leaves appear yellow-white, and burnt brown spots appear on the middle leaf veins and leaf tips.

Solution: You can spray 0.5% ferrous sulfate solution on the leaves once every three days. Spray two or three times in a row to correct the problem.

Symptoms of zinc deficiency in orchids

The main manifestation of zinc deficiency in orchids is the appearance of rust-like spots in the middle of the bottom leaves, which gradually expand to both ends. The petioles of new leaves are obviously different from those of old leaves.

Solution: You can spray the leaves with 0.1% zinc sulfate solution once every three to five days. Spray three times in a row to correct the problem.

Symptoms of copper deficiency in orchids

The main manifestation of orchid's lack of copper is that the leaf tips will lose their green color, turn grayish white, and gradually spread to the entire leaf, and growth will gradually stagnate.

Solution: You can spray 0.2% copper sulfate solution once every 7 days. Spray twice in a row to correct the problem.

Symptoms of Boron Deficiency in Orchids

Boron deficiency in orchids is manifested by injury to the base of young leaves and extreme brittleness and easy breakage at the petiole ring. The buds bloom slowly, the number of flowers decreases significantly, and the growth of the plants after flowering decreases significantly.

Solution: Spray 0.3% borax or boric acid solution once a week for 3 times in a row to correct the problem.

Symptoms of molybdenum deficiency in orchids

The symptoms of molybdenum deficiency in orchids are that new plants will be significantly stunted and will not grow tall; old leaves will lose their green color, and eventually turn yellow, wilt, and eventually die.

Solution: You can spray 0.1% ammonium molybdate solution once every 3 days. Spray 3 times in a row to correct the problem.