HIBISCUS AND NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES

The first set of photos were taken on 15 Oct 2012 and these two Hibiscus were displaying the symptoms of severe nutrient deficiency. They were in a very bad state and the younger and older leaves were all showing interveinal chlorosis and possessed yellowish leaves. There were barely any flowers.

Now, after months of treatment to incorporate straight fertilizers in Nitrogen, chelated Iron and Magnesium as well as organic fertilizers to the soil, the two Hibiscus have recovered significantly and are now spotting lots of flowers, at least when compared to before. 

Nutrient deficiencies in Iron are commonly seen in acid loving plants such as Wrightia religiosa and Gardenia etc.

BAUHINIA GALPINII

Ever since I first laid eyes on this brilliant climber (synonym: Bauhinia punctata, Perlebia glapinii; common names: Pride of the Cape, Red Orchid Tree, Nasturtium Bauhinia; Family: Fabaceae) at Pioneer's Landscape Nursery, I was totally in awe of this fantastic plant. And when I saw it in Australia, nothing beats the feeling of amazement.

So anyway, here are the brick red flowers in two shades although they are from the same plant. One shortcoming is that the plant suffers from nutrient deficiency in Magnesium, as evident by the interveinal chlorosis on its older leaves. I guess nothing is perfect.

Some links on the plant are provided below for reference:

1. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/bauhiniagalpinii.htm
2. http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/BAUHINIA_GALPINII.htm
3. http://growerjim.blogspot.com/2010/09/bauhinia-galpinii-red-orchid-bush.html