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Nutrients

Salt and Fertiliser Burn on Fern Frond Tips

Commonly affects: Various ferns (Polypodiopsida)

Frond tips turn brown and crispy in a pattern distinct from general low-humidity browning, often following a recent fertiliser application.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Fertiliser applied at too high a concentration for the plant's sensitivity
  2. 2Salt buildup in the potting mix from repeated feeding without flushing
  3. 3Hard tap water contributing additional mineral buildup over time

Solution Steps

  1. 1Flush the potting mix thoroughly with plain water to clear accumulated salts
  2. 2Reduce fertiliser strength significantly, diluting well below label recommendations
  3. 3Switch to filtered or rain water if tap water is very hard
  4. 4Trim off severely burned tips, since new growth should look better with corrected feeding

Prevention Tip

Ferns are notably sensitive to fertiliser salts — when in doubt, feed at a quarter to half the recommended strength.

More Nutrient Deficiencies Problems

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Phosphorus Deficiency — Purple-Tinted Leaves & Stunted Growth

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Manganese Deficiency — Young Leaf Interveinal Chlorosis & Pale New Growth

Boron Deficiency — Deformed New Growth & Hollow Petioles — monstera plant care

Boron Deficiency — Deformed New Growth & Hollow Petioles

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