Unusual leaf damage; fert burn? bacterial?

Howdy Tree and Shrub Folks!

I dislike "cross posting" or "multiple posting" (two different threads/same topic) but I didn't get much of a response when I originally posted on "Garden Foes".

Can someone take a look at the following link, please? My gardenias have the weirdest browning of the leaves I've ever seen.

I've checked out fertilizer burn, nutrient deficiency, nutrient overload, etc but haven't found any pics that look like mine.

Anyone have some input on this?

http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/698150/

Many Thanks!

Shoe

Is that resent? Looks like burn to me but if that's new it wouldn't be sun burn.

Yes...just noticed it in the past couple weeks.

Are you saying it looks like sun burn? or fertilizer burn? Even though we had some pretty cold nights from time to time we also had some warmish days recently (in the upper 60's and low 70's).

I also wondered it an abrupt temperature difference might cause it. A building burnt up about 25-30 ft away one morning...makes me wonder if that heat from that fire then when it was put out the temperature (27º that morning!) the sudden changes would have an effect.

Thanks.
Shoe

Shoe, I had 2-3 of them in Atlanta that looked like that. Never figured it out.

Thanks, darius.

Did they "self heal" or end up dying?

Shoe

Died.

Ugh.

Welp, today I talked to a person I do a lot of business with who has been in the nursery biz all his life.

When I described the leaves, the coloring, the "all of a sudden come-about"...he was pretty sure it is from wind/water damage. And, considering the location of the plants it sounds feasible.

I've often told customers to plant gardenias out of the way of the Winter winds (to cut down any chance of dessication/wind burn). However, the wind blowing on these plants combined with the rainfall (or fire hoses?) may have brought this malady on.

In years past I have over-winterd potted gardenia (and many other plants) on the downside of my greenhouse (the g-house blocked the wind. This year, these plants weren't blocked and between our windy days (and water) that may be exactly what has happened.

Unless I find any other reason or source of why or why-not I think I'll work on this from that point of view. So...I'm going to trim off some of the really damaged leaves and move the plants behind a wind-break and hope they revive.

Still looking for input though! So please feel free to share!

Thanks!
Shoe

Shoe ~Is there a chance the soil may have been contaminated? Sometimes they blanket fires with foam in order to contain the fire spread. If there is any chance the soil was contaminated, or if the soil or pot temp was raised, I would repot the plants in fresh substrate to be on the safe side; cut them down by one-third, to include all damaged vegetation; keep them out of wind and strong sun until they show signs of recovery (new growth). Poor babies, gardenias were in my wedding bouquet, I love love love their fragrance!

PrairieGirl...I'm right there with ya, gardenias are my favorite ( I grow about 6 different kinds now!).

I'm fortunate that the firemen didn't come in with their foam/chemicals. Matter of fact I had the building/fire pretty much under control before they got here. (Must've been the DG t-shirt I was wearing that kept me moving! 'Twas 27 degrees out at the time!)

Yep, after repotting 105 plants today tomorrow my goal is to repot those gardenias into fresh soil/potting mix. (And will move them to where I had some wintering over last year, out of the wind.)

Your wedding bouquet must've been an attention getter! Gardenia's speak to us, eh!?

Thanks!
Shoe

How fortunate that no one got hurt, fire is a very scarey thing to me, bet the adrenaline was pumping to keep you warm! Many people (myself included) are surely glad that you and your family are okay, that is certainly heartfelt, I would not like to think of anything happening to you and the little family.

Boy Howdy was the adrenaline pumping! I'm so grateful we had a fire extinguisher on hand or my "Shoffice" would've also burnt down (and computer, articles, stories, records, seed larder, etc).

I've walked around here quite a bit realizing how blessed we were the fire was contained to only one building and the supplies/contents inside it.

We all think we came out fine, just a bit of a setback but no big worries here. Then again, as Alfred E. Newman says, "why worry?" (grin)

Shoe.

Whew. Sounds like you've had a busy day, with 105 plants to repot! Better hit the hay, well I'm off to dreamland anyway. nite.