I just got this croton a few weeks ago at Lowe's. Doesn't look too healthy. As the Chinese say, it's losing its chi (qi).
It gets partial sun. Maybe the heat wave we had a little over a week ago sapped it of its strength?
What's making my croton sick?
I thought about adding some worm castings. That stuff is great organic fertilizer... I know my hibiscus sure do like it.
its re adjusting to the new conditions.Don't let it get too dry, mist every so often, crotons love humidity.Feed sparingly. till new growth shows.
One thing it hasn't gotten is dried out. It's been watered well... but not overly so.
Seems to be a lot more sensitive than other croton varieties I've planted right next to it.
that looks like sunburn. the new leaves will be more acclimated to the site.
I sure hope so. It was real pretty when I bought it. The leaves are less thick than the other ones.
that's probably why it burned. you may have to re-locate it to a shadier location where it only gets morning sun.
The key is "acclimating" or "Hardening off" Many a plants will get leave burn by just being moved from one location to another. Even though, in their own environment, doesn't matter how much sun it's said to be used to. If a potted plant has been set in the shade or indoors/greenhouse. Sudden sun exposure could cause some set back. Gardually introduce them to their permanent location by a few hours each day of sunlight exposure.
My friendly nurseryman always remind his customers to "harden them off" every time one picks up a Greenhouse's stock that hasn't been left outdoors to the elements.
One by one the leaves are falling off. I think it's a goner. Yeah, maybe I should have acclimated it more, but I planted a lot of crotons and other tropicals in this area and this is the only one that is showing ill effects.
I've an one that was moved out earlier this spring (different zone). It's a temporary set back, keep it watered, and it will recover in time. Keep them misting frequently will also helps.
Could be that the other ones had spent more time in the sun prior to you purchasing them and therefore didn't get sunburned. Whenever I buy something from a nursery I always assume it's been in a shadier location than where I'm planning to put it and I get it used to the sun gradually before I plant it. I wouldn't give up until every single leaf falls off though--I had some seedlings this year that I exposed to the sun a little more quickly than I should have (I'm not good with patience!) and they've lost some leaves, but are already putting out new leaves that aren't sunburned, so don't give up hope yet.
FOF .
I may be able to help you here also .
They are a Tropical plant and require FULL sunlight .
This one is out by the letterbox and is in full sun ALL day .
it's my understanding that many varieties of croton actually prefer a little mid-day shade. i know the ones in the keys did.
Hey Ginger, you get around this site, dontcha? I have several of the exact croton you picture and they all are doing swimmingly. I just love their color.
It's the variety in the picture I'm talking about, and it's quite a bit different than the one you show. As mentioned before, it has thinner leaves than my other crotons. My sick little one gets morning shade, then sun around noontime, then shade the rest of the day, as it is only open directly overhead. It's a pretty shady spot except for midday, is what I'm trying to say. I'm keeping my eye on it, but it doesn't look like it's gonna make it. =-(
It looks like you may be in or around Houston and I would agree that everything here needs a break in the full sun during the summer.
Check for spider mites, tis the season. Feel on the back side of the leaf and if it feels a bit gritty that may be the problem. We've also had tons of rain, make sure soil is well drained, but not completely dried out.
Rj
rjudd, I'm not anywhere near Houston... I'm in Oceanside, about 40 minutes north of San Diego, CA...
no grit under the leaves, of which there are only two left...=-(
Time to get the Fribulator out ???
Yeah, everybody... CLEAR!
Darn , There's a power outage !
Where are the jumper leads ?
Check all your eletrodes as well. lol
Oh..okay..well who knew we we're the same zone....not I!
FOF...how's the patient doing? LOL
Sorry...I don't like losing a plant either...sure looks like sunburn to me.
it's still hangin in there.
no change.
not getting better.
not getting worse. :shrug:
Once leaves are sunburned they're not going to ever look better, what you need to watch for is new growth, if the plant still has the strength to put out some new leaves they should look fine. But at least if it's not getting worse and there's still a bit of green on the leaves then it may be able to come up with the energy to put out new growth.
That was going to be my question, ecrane! Any sign of new leaf buds? You should be seeing some soon if it is going to make it. Before you decide that it isn't-scrape the stem near the base and see if you see any green below the bark-that will tell you if it is still alive.
The leaves looked sunburned to me, and if that is all that was wrong with it ( and crotons can drop their leaves pretty easily with an environmental change, imo), you should see new leaves soon-and they will be accustomed to the sun, and will not sunburn. Aren't there larger crotons available for a decent price there? Like at HD etc. I can pick up a good size 3 gallon for under $ 15 here. The bigger the plant, the better the chance to succeed.
well I'll post a pic tomorrow. It actually has 3 leaves, and if I look REAL hard, it looks like there may be new leaves forming but it's hard to tell.
I bought a bunch of different varieties and sizes of crotons and this is the only variety I'm having trouble with.
Thanks for your kind suggestions! It might pull thru, but who knows?
If not Post it Up in the Prayer Forum .
okay so I failed math, it has 4 of its original leaves. I last reported it had three. Here is the plant as it was last night June 6.
I'll post a close up of the new "growth," if that's what it is, next.
Does that look like new growth?
What do you think of my patient's prognosis?
Definitely .
I'll keep my fingers and my eyes crossed...
thanks Ginger! :thumbup:
I think it's starting to come back--that's great! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it keeps going!