Over fertilized!

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masciam Santos, Brazil(Zone 11) Jun 30, 2007

Hi,
I couldn't figure what forum I should use to ask this question, so I'm posting here.
I have 4 small (12 inches) window boxes in a shady window, with commom impatiens and some summer wave Torenias. Last week I fertilized them with 4-14-8 at half the recommended rate, and now the torenias seem to be burned by it.
Most of the new leaves are turning brown and curling as you can see on the picture.

Is there anything I can do? I've been watering them with lots of water, but I don't know if that makes any difference.

And will they recover, eventually? The plants still look good and I don't want to loose them!

Thanks

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Post #3679498
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Jun 30, 2007

Looks like the new leaves have burnt off...I would pinch the burned bits out....I don't know what sort of sun you get but here those plants require a little shelter....similar treatment as impatiens.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Jun 30, 2007

I'm not sure if it's fertilizer burn, if you used it half strength that should be fine unless you're fertilizing them too frequently. Could be from a bit too much sun, or if you were fertilizing during the day and splashed some on the leaves then that combined with a little sunlight hitting it could have done something like that. I think Chrissy's suggestion is a good one, if you pinch off the burned tips hopefully new leaves will grow in their place.

Post #3680045
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masciam Santos, Brazil(Zone 11) Jun 30, 2007

I'm pretty sure it wasn't sun. This window doesn't receive direct sunlight and even if it did, it's winter here right now, I guess it wouldn't hurt them.
Maybe I fertilized them too frequently.. I will pinch all the burned tips and hope for the new leaves to look good.

Thanks for the replies!

Post #3680085
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Jun 30, 2007

Gosh I did not know you were in winter....golly if it is cold those little plants would not be too happy they like warm dappled shade.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jul 02, 2007

Hi masiam, as you say winter, what kind of temp are you talking about, as Chrissy said, these plants need warm slight shade conditions, so if it is cold at night, then just maybe it is like frost burn but without the frost if you know what I mean, a cold night temp could do the burn on tender new leaves, I dont think you want to fertilise anymore till you see flower buds appear, over fertilising will cause lots of greenery at the expence of flowers, when you nip off all the brown leaves, this will act like a little haircut and help the plants to grow more side shoots which in turn will give you more flowering branches, so it wont harm the plants to remove the brown burnt leaves, an idea of your day/night temp would be a help to sort out your probs as you mention winter. good luck, WeeNel.

Post #3684070
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