Hi all,
The recipe you have is the one that many use and should be fine.
That one.
I've found that it’s likely that my hard water is to blame & the fact that I haven’t been dosing Iron.
Yes, iron (Fe) deficiencies are much more likely in hard water, mainly because ferric/ferrous iron ions (Fe+++/Fe++) are highly reactive and form a whole range of insoluble compounds, including iron oxides, carbonates, phosphates and hydroxides.
Plant nutrient deficiencies aren't always easy to diagnose. Iron deficiency is easier to diagnose than most, because iron isn't mobile within the plant, and deficiencies effect new leaves. The other elements where deficiency cause chlorosis are mobile, and the <"
yellowing happens first on older leaves">.
These are
@sciencefiction's
Hygrophila from <"
Rotala rotundifolia.....>, and that shows a classic case of iron deficiency with <"
lime induced chlorosis">.
so the question is will the chelated Iron be adequate to boost plant growth
It should be. I'd try the FeEDTA first. It will take a while for anything to happen with the plants, because only the new leaves will be greener.
What you may get first is a sudden flush of green algae, this is a good sign. Their growth will also have been restricted by iron deficiency (they are <"
physiologically similar"> to all the mosses, ferns and higher plants) but they can show a quicker growth response.
If you don't get a response I'd try one of the other iron chelators, that is better at higher pH values. Have a look at
@Zeus.'s posts (and links) in <"
EI dosing please ..."> .
I do have some Chelated Iron but I have never dosed it as the advice I was given was that it was just if I had red plants.
All plants need all <"
fourteen of the essential nutrients for growth">, just in differing amounts.
cheers Darrel