yellow leaves

I'm just beginning to learn about growing things. Can you tell me if yellow leaves are the sign of over or under watering. My plants in pots tend to look scraggly and dry most of the time. My beautiful Lily just went totally yellow, so I am leaning towards over watering. I feed them Miracle grow once a month (when I remember, haha). Thanks, sue

Yellowing leaves can be a sign of either overwatering or underwatering. In the case of lilies, it's natural for them to die back though so there may be nothing to worry about on that particular one.

For your other plants that are looking scraggly and dry, one thing to remember is that once most potting mixes dry out, they become very hard to rewet. Everyone's heard the advice that you should water until water comes out the holes at the bottom of the pot and then that's enough, but what happens if your potting mix got really dry is that the water will find a few channels down through the pot and run out the bottom without soaking into the soil. So you'll think you've watered enough, but in reality the majority of the soil in the pot is still bone dry. If you've got a bucket handy, one way to fix this situation is when you do water, fill the bucket and submerge the pot for a little while to give the soil time to really soak up the water. Otherwise, what I usually do is fill each pot with water, let it drain through, and then repeat that about 3 times, that is usually enough to wet the soil. When you really thoroughly water your plants, you should find them happier overall, but also be aware that you won't need to water as frequently--if you continue watering on the same frequency you have been you may find you're all of a sudden overwatering things.

Make sure you are using a potting mix not garden soil for the containers also and make sure the container is the right size for the plant.

ecrane3: Thank you. I use a hose and walk around the patio watering each pot until the water hits the rim of the pot and then go on to the next one. By the time I am finished (pots are around retaining wall on patio on far side of pool) watering all the pots I can look back and see water has seeped out of the pot and saucer and has overflowed and patio is wet. So, this tells me, if I am reading and understand correctly, that the water is just running down and out. I can't lift most of thee pots to put into a bucket, so perhaps I'll turn the water pressure down and slowwwwwwwly water them. It takes me so long now, and I have to admit I've no patience......want to go on to the next thing on my list. There are over 20 various sized pots in 3 areas. Wish I could devise a drip system for them. I'll water slowly and at least 3 times as you suggest. Oh, aned I generally water at night.

flowerjen: Thanks, I use Miracle Grow Potting Soil with the water retaining things in them now. I plant the plant in a pot that is 1 1/2 to 2 times the plant size. Think that would be a quart plant in a 12 inch pot. The pots are in sun most of the day, and I always look for the plants that are market full sun.

Again thank you. I may have something survive after all.
FYI: I was in HD lookihg at plants when another shopper commented on a pallet of pots they had. The sign said 5.99, the shopper asked me if all the pots were 5.99 and I said I dunno. But I speed walked to get a cart and snagged 15 pots that are 12 to 20in., and as many saucers that I could (BOY WAS THAT CART HARD TO MOVE!) Asked to check the prices when checking out and yippee they were all 5.99. I was ecstatic! My trunk and back seat was full of pots, plants, and potting soil and I looked like a 'low-rider'. I drove very carefully to avoid any bumps. I never find deals like that, and I never would have if that nice lady had not asked me the question. So, thanks lady. I left four. Actually went back early the next day but they didn't put any more out. Oh well, Greedy me!.
Sue

If you've got saucers underneath then your problem may be wet feet/overwatering, not the problem I described. If water is staying in the saucer for a while, then the plant's roots are staying very wet and unless you're growing bog/water plants that's going to cause problems for them. You really ought to go along and dump out the saucers shortly after you finish watering. Or if you don't want to be doing that all the time, get rid of the saucers and then you won't have to worry.

If your saucers fill up really fast, then Ecrane is right. The water is running through a gap and not reaching all the soil or roots. I have that problem here whether my plants are in enhanced garden soil or Miracle Grow soil. I always go back and water again, but I don't use saucers. Mine are on cement and don't sit in water. If your containers are on a wood deck then I can see why you need saucers. I bought an inexpensive moister meter that helps me know when the soil is dry or too wet. It was only $20 and lets you know what's going on with the soil inside the pots. It's a very helpful tool.

ecrane: okay, saucers are being removed. I will water slowly at least 3 times. Hey, a Hibiscus flower popped up late yesterday afternoon. Yea!

pastime: Thanks for the heads up on the moisture meter, I'm going to get one! I need all the help I can get to figure out if too much or too little water; don't you just Love modern technology?

Some moisture meters can be expensive. I got mine online, but don't recall the vendor. I did a Google search until I found one that I could afford.

Only perennials blooming here are Hydrangeas, and the Asters are about ready to bloom also.

I would also be cautious about using miracle grow as it builds up soil salts which plants don't like. I recommend sticking to "organic" products like fish fertilizer and seaweed. There are many products on the market that do not build up salts.

pastime: I'll do a search for inexpensive meter, I'm assuming I need to walk to each pot and stick it in to read that pot. Don't think I want to be buying 20 of them, however inexpensive they are.

patti47: Didn't know that about Miracle Grow. They certainly don't mention it in their ads. Is fish fertilizer the same as fish emulsion?

Thanks. This is my first attempt to do a smiley face for you both: ^_^ Hmmmm, maybe it come up after sending?

You need just one meter. Poke it into each pot as you go along your watering routine. They are about 10" long and give you a good reading of what's going on down in the container.