Ocean spray and keeping an eye on high PH

When I rinse everyone off while watering, the seabreeze-salt that has accumulated on the leaves is washed right down into the pot. Probably time to get a PH tester and make sure they are all on the slightly acidic side-- except for the bougainvillea, which come from the slightly alkaline soils in Brazil.

Along the handrail
(from left) Euphorbia, White Purslane, White Bleeding Heart
 Dwarf Yellow Shrimp Rubber Plant, Macho Fern, Bamboo, Liriope

For those curious minds

Nutrients needed in the largest amount by plants are referred to as macro-nutrients and include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulfur (S). In addition to macronutrients, plants also need trace nutrients. Trace nutrients are not major components of plant tissue, but are required for growth. These include Iron, (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Molybdenum (Mo), and Boron (Bo). Both macro and trace nutrient availability is controlled by soil pH. In slightly to moderately alkaline soils, molybdenum and macro-nutrient (except P) availability is increased, but P, Fe, Mn, Zn Cu, and Co levels are reduced so low they may affect plant growth. In acid soils, micro-nutrient availability (except Mo and Bo) is increased. Nitrogen is supplied as ammonium (NH₄) or nitrate (NO₃) in fertilizer amendments, and dissolved N will have the highest concentrations in soil with pH 6-8. Concentrations of available N are less sensitive to pH than concentration of available P. In order for P to be available for plants, soil pH needs to be in the range 6.0 and 7.5. If pH is lower than 6, P starts forming insoluble compounds with iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al) and if pH is higher than 7.5 P starts forming insoluble compounds with calcium (Ca).Nutrient availability in relation to soil pH.

Most nutrient deficiencies can be avoided between a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5, provided that soil minerals and organic matter contain the essential nutrients to begin with.