Hi,
I bought this plant about a week ago. Its leaves are curling in and browning, and the older, larger leaves are thinning and dying. I'm not sure what's wrong. I've tried to spray some water on the plant in case it's a humidity problem, but that didn't seem to help.
I'm not very knowledgeable in helping plants, so any thoughts would be appreciated.
thanks
I'm on my phone right now and the picture isn't big enough for me to see an obvious problem, but overwatering is probably the most common problem so I'd investigate that first. Try sticking you finger down into the pot a bit and see if it feels really wet--if it does then you need to back off on your watering. Also make sure you empty that saucer underneath right after you water, don't let the plant sit around in a puddle. Since you just got the plant recently, it's possible you haven't done anything wrong but maybe the store you got it from had been overwatering it.
Thank you for the reply.
I don't think overwatering is the problem. I just had to water it today because the soil was becoming too dry.
As far as what's wrong with it, it's supposed to have large leaves all around it, but the larger leaves have browned and are either drooping or I've had to cut them off because they had died. The smaller, new leaves coming in are curling and starting to brown too. The brand new growth is dying off.
I haven't seen any bugs.
f-fox----
Cinnerarias are one of those "decorative blooming plants" that just never last.....
They are doomed from the day you buy them....Same as "Pocket Plants"--in the same category.
I hate to see them in the store--and I hate to see people buying them--for I know they will not last....
After years and years of working in Garden Centers--I still do not know what they really need?????
My mind wants to think that they need to grow in a terrarium. maybe???? Serious humidity???
I also wonder if they are plants that actually come from a certain, tropical zone where they DO thrive---
or are they just grown to provide immediate color to the customer and then succumb to a sure death.
There are no more brilliant flower-colors than on the Cinnerarias.....but--I have never known one to last past a couple of weeks...
Maybe all the growers know that--and just cash in on people's ignorance.
Sorry yours are dying--but don't feel like the "Lone ranger"......Need to, maybe, read up on this, and similar plants.
Try Plant Files???? Then--let us all know what you have learned....
Never forget to read the "Member's Comments" at the very end of any description, of any plant in the PF.
That is where you will REALLY learn a lot about that particular plant.
Gita
How are you judging that the soil's too dry? If you're just looking at the surface you could still be overwatering because the top of the soil can look dry while down deeper it's still sopping wet. That's why i suggested sticking your finger down in the pot.
That being said, too much water and too little water can have similar symptoms, but overwatering is far more common among newer gardeners (and often not so new gardeners too)
Gita:
thanks for your information. Kind of a downer, but it does seem to be kept more as an annual than anything else. I think it is a higher humidity plant. I wonder how the store/growers got the plant to be so healthy.
I bought the plant because I wanted a plant that flowers, especially one that has flowers in the winter. Do you know any plants that flower and are easy to care for? The african violet looked like a good possibility.
ecrane3:
I did check a little way down into the soil. I won't water it for awhile and see if that helps.
Thank you both.
I also think they need soil that drains well. Maybe the soil the plant is in is wrong. Would the store have the plant in the wrong soil?
f-fox
Here is a PF link to the Cineraria. It has quite a few comments at the bottom.
I did not yet read them--but I will.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54084/
Another plant that flowers profusely is a crown of thorns (Euphorbia Milli.) They do need sun, though - I have mine in a south window. The flowers aren't usually large, but there are a lot of them, and once they get started blooming they don't stop. They usually come in deep pink, yellow, white or green, although I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of an orange one I ordered last week.
African violets are another good choice, but any one I buy in bloom seems to need an adjustment period. They usually stop blooming for a few months before they start up again. It's worth the wait, though.
If you've got the light for them ... African violets are easier.
All those plants are difficult for beginners to hang on to as they really are difficult, you asked why the shop managed to keep them healthy, well the shop does not do anything but put them on a shelf, if they die well they are covered for their loss.
The growers use special lights, food that the novice cant get hold off, they have been growing those plants for many years, some 2nd and 3 rd generation.
As for your plant, these plants don't really like water sprayed/misted onto the foliage as this causes Grey mold to get hold and the reason for that is that these plants and others like the African Violets have small hairs either under or on top of the leaves and stems of the flowers, these little hairs cause moisture to stay in small blobs on the foliage and either fungus, molds or rot takes hold very quickly.
To give the plants a humidity bathe, keep the plant in a size saucer 1 up from the pot size, add some small gravel, to the saucer and add water to this, place the pot onto the gravel and allow the plant to take up enough water you feel the soil as Ecrane told you, too wet, remove the plant from the saucer and allow to drain, throw out enough water so the pot is not sitting IN water but some is able to evaporate enough to give a more humid atmosphere, after a few days, poke your finger in again and see IF the soil is dry and needs watering.
I have to say it is really only through experience that you learn how much to water, what signs to look for when a problem shows up and what is best conditions for some plants as lots require different heat, cool, moisture air etc, so please don't feel your not learning, you are and the best way to learn is by mistakes, time, touch ect. wish I had kept a book on all the things I did wrong before the penny dropped and I found my skills as I went along.
If this plant dies on you, don't give up, these are difficult plants for novices to care for, just choose a different one next time and read the labels instructions, they are usually quite general but they give info like light, watering, keep out of drafty areas etc, but it gives you a start as to caring for the plant.
Just don't give up Fenn,. Wishing you loads of best wishes and good luck with your next pant.
WeeNel.
