Plumbago problem?

Planted a plumbago early spring in ammended clay soil (1/5 compost + 3/5 landscape mix + 1/5 potting mix) Covered top with 1 inch of mulch. It is south facing and gets full sun 7 hours a day. The brick mail box does block some sun from 5pm to sundown. Once the night time temperatures were above 50 degrees it thrived. It then bloomed profusely on benevolent neglect and seemed to do best when the temperatures were over 100 degrees. I dead-headed regularly and watered only when the soil was dry (deep soak once every ten days) About two weeks ago, it completely stopped blooming and started sulking. I did some more aggressive dead heading and watered it a bit more frequently (every six days). Over the last two weeks, it hasn't bloomed once. It continues to sulk.

I've read that plumbago will occasionally rest. Is this what is going on?
I've also read of problems in clay soil.....but also read that it loves clay soil?
Is it a nutrient deficiency?
Any suggestions?

Picture taken at 6pm today. Wish I took a picture three weeks ago for comparison-it looked great.

This message was edited Aug 1, 2006 11:41 PM

close up view

You beat me to sending this message! Same thing is happening to mine. Both in large pots. Did very well until maybe a couple of weeks ago. On one of them, several of the leaves are folding inward. I don't think there is one bloom right now. If I don't water them well, they wilt, so I don't think it's too much water. How can you overwater containter plants in this kind of heat and drought? Maybe someone will give us a clue what's going on.

Any sign of spider mite webbing on the backs of the leaves? In this hot, dry weather, the little beasties are everywhere.

It may just need a bit more water. I have several plumbago, both the blue and white. Several are established and two are new plantings. The newer ones are in full sun in a tough location next to concrete sidewalk and street edge. Others range from semi shade to full sun and all are blooming well. I think if yours are in full sun and newly planted they may be in strees from heat and may need a bit more water until roots are deeply established. Mine get watered 2 to 3 times a week, in very early morning by the automatic sprinkler. I have really horrible gumbo clay soil, amended with compost and bark mulch. Try putting on an application of root stimulator and water a little more frequently and they should be fine. They're really tough plants and once established bloom almost year round for me here in Houston.

Thanks for the rapid responses. Yep, I have seen some webbing and a tiny yellow/green spider mite critter. I deep soaked this morning with a little bit of crystalline all purpose plant food. Will definitely try some root stimulator and maybe add some compost tea.

What do you recommend for the mites? A little soap spray? Spray on compost tea?

mine looks nearly the same. I have had to water it nearly every day just to keep it alive poor thing.

I almost always try the "blast 'em off with water" approach on any bug problem before resorting to harsher approaches. That and more water may clear up the problem. If not, try the soap. I'm not a totally organic gardner, but I try to use as few chemicals as possible. The only insecticide I've used this year is Di-Syston systemic on an Althea (not removed because of too many problems) and the roses. I do use osmocote plant food on everything.

I recently read on DG here by another poster a good cure for spider mites I thought that I would try if I see them. Anyways, I think it was either konkreteblond or DonnaB on the butterfly and hummers forum (I think, not positive) that suggested that you spread your water hose out during the day and let it warm up so that when you turn the water on it will be really hot. Anyways, blast the spider mites with that hot water and then repeat again if necessary in a couple of days. Sounds good to me.

Doesn't the really hot water hurt the plant? The first few gallons through my hose is as hot as the hottest water from my hot water heater. I'd think it'd cook the plants, but I've never tried it, so don't know. If you do try this and it works, let us know.

I don't have spidermites so I don't need to try it yet. I do have some aphids, but they are on an ixora and I don't think anything is going to kill it but cold weather. ha ha. I think the hot water would cool down fast enough from the surrounding air and soil temp for the plant not to fry, but I could be wrong.

I wouldn't think the hot water would hurt the plant when doing short strong bursts to get the bugs off. Just keep the contact short.

I'm for organic gardening, but when it comes to spider mites, I use Kelthane. I spray in the evening and mist the bottoms of the leaves as well as the tops. Here's a link to some info from the University of Kentucky. Kelthane is listed under its common name dicofol.
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/trees/ef421.htm

Is Kelthane available in a plastic container with a squeeze spray thing, or do you have to mix it up?

I use the concentrate, mix it with water, and apply it with hand pump pressure sprayer. I've never looked for it pre-mixed.

Update.

Thanks for all your help. I have increased water frequency to every third day. Added some root stimulator, and sprayed the leaves with hose water.

Thanks again to everyone,

Now onto saving my dry, thirsty lawn.

Looks like this is in a container (???) I have two large pots of them, and I have to water them every day!!!!!!! Thoroughly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The plumbago is in a brick container next to a brick mailbox. Keeping anything alive has been a real challenge this summer. I live in North Dallas and we haven't had a decent rain since early June. We have water bans/restrictions that I am trying to abide by (scared of HOA reporting me if I increase water dose or frequency)

Any more summers like this and I'll go all rock garden and astroturf (kidding, I think)

I understand. Since it's by the brick mailbox, it's by the street, also, right? Think of the heat the street absorbs!!!
I'm south of you, and lucky enough that we have a municipal lake and have never ever had watering restrictions.
I hear on Dallas radio stations about your strict watering bans. I don't know how you keep anything alive.
Good luck with your plumbago. (You can't even water it by hand?) Maybe the summer of 2007 won't be such a killer. We can always dream.

You're right it's by the street. It's also south facing and there is a semi circular drive to add to my heat island. It's very tricky and frustrating to select plants for this spot. With the water restrictions and hot summers, I'm sure the conditions are like a more humid Phoenix. Thankfully, I did utilize Duffield's "Plants for dry climates" (highly recommended) to select most of the plants in this spot. Unfortuately, with our cooler winters and occasional freezes, selecting ideal plants that look good year round is almost impossible. The planting area is too narrow for big, flowering hardy shrubs and trees like butterfly bush or a vitex.

So far dianthus have been the best perennials for this spot. I'm sure the plumbago will have to be cut to the ground in November/December.

Hand watering-yep, I sneak out before the sun comes up and soak the plumbago every third day with the watering can.