I have 2 that are getting yellow leaves, then the leaves are turning brown and the stalk looks like it's dying. Am I overwatering it or underwatering it? It's not rained here in weeks, but I water every couple of days. Is it normal for the stalks to brown all the way up? Last year these were tiny, so I don't know what I am supposed to expect.
close up of pink one
purple one
close up of purple one
Guess who visited while I was taking the pics!
I don't know what is wrong, but one of mine looks a lot like that! It has some naked limbs where the leaves have fallen off.
Whew! That at least doesn't make me alone! I just keep thinking it's GOT to be the heat.
hey konkrete~:
Ever figure that Mother Earth sometimes gets angry with the Lone Star State?
You're just jealous because everything here is bigger than in FL! (and NJ)
konkrete~
If we ever meet in person, I'll tell you the story about the old golfer with his new bi-focal glasses.
Paige, my butterfly bushes are not doing well this year either. I understand why mine haven't. They were not fertilized this year (so far) and I haven't watered often either. When I do water I make sure the plant gets at least the equivalent of 1 inch of rain. Frequent but, shallow applications of water will create a shallow root system. When it gets hot the plant can't reach deep for moisture b/c the roots are too near the surface. For me, it is important that plants can handle our summers. If my butterfly bushes can't handle infrequent but, deep watering, they will be replaced with a plant that can! One of our natives no doubt.
There is no truth to the idea of forcing a plant to have deep roots by 'making' them reach for moisture. Roots will not grow through dry soil. The moisture must be throughout the soil profile in order for the plant roots to develope their genetic potential. Even a tap root will stop growing if there isn't sufficient moisture in its soil enviroment.
Mine have done extremely well until just the last week or so. I am guilty of watering too much sometimes. It's so hot and I feel sorry for them! But surely these have developed some roots since one has been here over a year and one longer.
My "dirt" looks really soaked when I water, but then the next day I'll pull something up and it comes out totally dry, so I get confused. I watered them longer than usual and am mulching them good, and then I'm going to leave them alone for a few days.
I threw out some organic fertilizer a while back, and just tossed some more out yesterday. I use a foliar spray of Medina HastaGro, fish emulsion (blech) and liquid seaweed. I've done it once a week for the last 2 weeks, but not seeing much change.
I did notice that the newer blooms aren't near as big as the earlier ones. Maybe that is a sign of what is wrong?
How do you water? e.g., sprinkle, flood, drip?
konkrete~
Pound -- or drill -- some holes into the ground, around the plant. If they're open, pour something in which will hold water when you irrigate. Otherwise, just leave them open, water will fill them.
That kind of depends on the day. Sometimes I water with the round soaker thing on the end of the hose. It comes out in a whole bunch of tiny holes, like the ones on the end of those wands. Sometimes I attach a small sprinkler that sprays in a circular pattern. Sometimes it gets watered from the sprinkler system that sprays in drops.
KKB,
We've had good luck with soaker hoses made out of old tires for the problem of wet top, dry beneath. Big lots had them for cheap and the recycling factor is nice too. I have one buddleia that is doing what yours is- it popped out of the ground and is not getting enough water. The others in the same bed are fine. I just need to plant deeper.
Maggie
Hey, one thing about Buddelias - they don't like to be overwatered. Mine almost bought the farm last summer when we had so much rain... They came back just fine though, I never water them myself. Hope that helps!
Nicole
One more thing I just remembered - if you think it's the soil, a solution of hydrogen perioxide and water will help get more oxygen to the roots. I use 2 tblspoons to a gallon on my house plants. You could probably juice it up a bit for 'in the ground' plants but you should probably double check! There are tons of threads about it on here.
This message was edited Jun 28, 2005 9:15 AM
I just have a hard time believing that it's been overwatered, not that I couldn't do that, but it's just been SO hot here and no rain. Is it possible to overwater when the temps are 100 daily and the plant is in full sun?? (and the yard is on a slight slope) Wouldn't the water drain and/or be soaked up from the heat?
You got me to be honest!! We live in WAAAYYY different areas. I would certainly try the perioxide thing though! It has saved many a plant for me and won't hurt them either. Darius turned me on to it. It's good for soaking seeds, watering seedlings, etc etc etc.
If the soil is not overwatered it won't hurt a thing and if it is the perioxide will help! You might want to send Darius an e-mail and ask if she knows the quantites to use on outside plants..
konkrete~
You may have a baked lens of impervious clayey material that formed in the heat, and acts like a glass floor (as in glass ceiling), restricting the roots from penetrating deeper, and starving those roots that may have done so.
Try this: Cut off the bottom of a pail, and screw it into your soil a couple of inches. Then fill it with water, and see how long it takes for it to percolate into the ground.
"I'll pull something up and it comes out totally dry" is quoted from your above post. That statement clearly tells me that you are not watering as much as you think you are. Try building a 4/5 inch levee around the plants. Fill that with water. Refill an hour later. Do that at least once a week during the growing season. More often if the plants show stress. The levee should be extend out to the plants "drip line."
John
AAAAHHH!!! WHAT is this?! I was thinking my bush is looking a little worse and that I am going to cut it back, then I saw THIS! I did not see that wasp tho! Good thing I didn't grab that leaf! Oh my....I'm having a horrible garden day! I found squash vine borers in my son's garden earlier, and I think they are in my volunteer pumpkin. I may be forced to start staying inside and cleaning closets or something if this gets worse.
Oops, so freaked out I forgot the pic...
konkrete~
Sit back and watch the butterflies. Since you built it, they will come.
I can't wait until I get to see my passiflorae -- next week.
Oh yes, they will come, but it still is horrible to me when I lose plants! This is one of my butterfly attracters too. BUT it's not like I can't buy another bush, right?! Thanks Brad, I'll go out and look for something exciting now to make it even.
attagirl:
And remember, as Scarlett O'Hara said in GWTW, "Tomorrow...... is another day."
