Nutrient Problem or what?

[Franco]

So I got two plants from Beautiful Bamboo and rather than being able to pick the healthiest looking ones, I had to get ones that I could actually transport from Florida to Ontario, Canada. They both exhibited similar issues. Leaves are "streaky", almost variegated-looking. Some leaves are also almost completely covered in tiny dark brown spots. These leaves eventually fall off. I have two pictures of my small Oldhamii plant below.

I suspect this is a nutrient issue - either the nursery over-fertilized or the central Florida soil lacks nitrogen. It could be a pest but I kind of doubt it.

Any thoughts?

[stevelau1911]

When leaves start to yellow from the bottom up, or oldest leaves first, that looks like magnesium deficiency to me.

Wait until the growing season, and planting the plant straight into the ground, mixing it in with native soil should get it to green up again.

[dependable]

I would make sure they aren't over watered.

[mountainbamboonut]

I have one oldhamii planting that is inside my house in front of very large south facing 30 ft. windows. It is in a good sized pot and even though it gets relatively chilly here (zone 7), it lives the life of a zone 10'er inside. I have seen those same spots on my leaves when it was younger and they have gone away. At least for me, my oldhamii tells me when to water it by losing its deep green coloration or leaves hanging. It seems to respond right away by perking up and greening if I starve it of water and then toss a cup on every day or so when needed. Obviously, this is different treatment than an in-ground planting but for it has worked to have a beautiful indoor oldhamii that is deep green and doubling in size in relatively short periods. My goal is a 30 ft. culm inside the house I'm on my way!

[Franco]

Thanks all - quite interesting. I have been known to be over-zealous with watering. I have only had the plant about two weeks, during which it was subject to 1. nursery irrigation 2. a big Floridian rainfall and 3. about 2 modest waterings by me. I will let it dry out for a week or two and evaluate further. I hesitate to fertilize because if this is fertilizer burn, I will of course only make things worse.

Steve - the black spots seem to suggest K deficiency rather than Mg deficiency, though the yellowing is consistent with Mg and other deficiencies. I think it may be best to add native soil, as you suggest, though I have already added some compost.

[Franco]

Seems it may have been either over-watering or an N deficiency. I started applying a high N fertilizer as a foliar spray and the condition of the plant has noticeably improved over the last few days, with a deeper green coloration in the foliage and healthy looking new leaves.