Fertilizer burn

[elitebettas]

Hey Guys,
What does fertilizer burn look like? I'm scared that i may have over fertilized. After not recieving fertilizer for a while i fertilized at one teaspoon per gallon as indicated on my orchid fertilizer. all my orchids are fine excpet my apple of my eye phalaenopsises, where root growth was strong and appeared robust, they have ceased to grow and don't appear swollen and fat like they usually are.... Nothing has black leaf tips....

[robb]

fertilizer burn is usually damage that is apparent on the surface of the plant from leaving fertilizer on the foliage directly. perhaps the plants are simply done putting on new growth for the year? perhaps some more info about timelines would help, ie: how long the "ceased to grow" period has been, if you have some pictures too, that is generally worth a thousand words or so

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You aren't going to get fertilizer burn from following the directions on the container of orchid food, as they have already reduced the amount compared to reg. food. To get fertilizer burn, you would have to be using too high a strength, or you would have to have a situation where you were not washing out previous fert, and it is starting to build up, or, you have very high mineral content in your water already and I think I would call it salt burn then, not fertilizer burn. Thin leaved plants like Cymbidiums show black tips. Severe burn will kill roots, but I am sure you have none of these problems.

[sandra]

Speaking of fertilizer, can the unused water that already has fertilizer added, be saved for the next watering or do the contents break down, become non-effective?

[janet_a]

the extra solution should remain potent for a while; i'd say keep it out of the light, like under the sink or something. it *will* accumulate on the bottom of the container though and you'll get a filmy goop.