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I have a stand of about 15 mature Lobelia cardinalis 'Dwarf' that has gone through at least 4 melting episodes (stems, leaves, and roots turn transparent and literally melt) within the last year. Each and every time, K2SO4 was involved. I have suspected elevated levels of K to cause my L. cardinalis 'Dwarf' to melt, but couldn't conclusively say so since I dosed several things at once. However, yesterday, out of curiosity, I dosed some K2SO4. This morning, my entire stand of L. cardinalis 'Dwarf' has melted. :-x
I can't pinpoint a specific toxic K concentration because it seems to be a proportional relationship, relative to some OTHER nutrient(s) because the [K] that induced one melting one week, did not induce the same phenomenon in the next. I think Ca/Mg and/or N is at play here. Botany is not my forte, so I am hoping that someone on the board can propose a theory on why the melting occurred. Perhaps then, we can hypothesize the likely suspects: Ca/Mg, N, or some other nutrient is responsible.
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Other plants also melt but the L. cardinalis 'Dwarf' is the first to exhibit these symptoms. Once seen, the addition of more K2SO4 exacerbates the melting within the L. cardinalis 'Dwarf' and spreads to other plants: Pogostemon stellatus and Hygrophila corymbosa var augustifolia. Both plants did not exhibit stunting tips. Instead, the roots turn transparent, leaves detach at the node, and in severe cases, the stems turn transparent as well. Response time is relative quick: within 12-24 hours.
I would really really appreciate any insight.
I can't pinpoint a specific toxic K concentration because it seems to be a proportional relationship, relative to some OTHER nutrient(s) because the [K] that induced one melting one week, did not induce the same phenomenon in the next. I think Ca/Mg and/or N is at play here. Botany is not my forte, so I am hoping that someone on the board can propose a theory on why the melting occurred. Perhaps then, we can hypothesize the likely suspects: Ca/Mg, N, or some other nutrient is responsible.
---
Other plants also melt but the L. cardinalis 'Dwarf' is the first to exhibit these symptoms. Once seen, the addition of more K2SO4 exacerbates the melting within the L. cardinalis 'Dwarf' and spreads to other plants: Pogostemon stellatus and Hygrophila corymbosa var augustifolia. Both plants did not exhibit stunting tips. Instead, the roots turn transparent, leaves detach at the node, and in severe cases, the stems turn transparent as well. Response time is relative quick: within 12-24 hours.
I would really really appreciate any insight.