| 15 February 2002
Have you ever noticed that your houseplants seem to get more brown tips on the leaves once you’ve brought them home? Many indoor plant growers use REVERSE OSMOSIS, which stops dissolved solids, such as salts and other chemicals. The water that comes out of your kitchen faucet has most likely been treated with these chemicals. Cities add chlorine and fluoride to the water supply, which plants are not fond of. Over time, some of these minor chemicals build up in the leaves. This build up shows itself in the form of tip burn. An easy way to get “better” water for your plants, is to fill a container with tap water, and let it sit overnight. This will at least allow the chlorine to dissipate. This however, is only one of the possibilites of what causes brown tips. The most common reason, is too much water. If you find that the entire plant is tipping, this is a likely cause. Not enough water, or too much fertilizer can also cause this. Always check the soil moisture before watering, and read fertilizer directions carefully. If there is any doubt, use less than what you think you should. Any type of chemical can cause tip burn, including pesticides. Always test a small area of the plant before applying to the entire plant. Changes in temperature, or extreme temperatures may also cause tip burn.
Tuesday, 07 February 2012
