overwatering

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planolinda Plano, TX Aug 23, 2007

can a plant look dry, brittle and brown from too much water? i read too much water is bad -- i have been watering a lot due to very hot weather and summer planting -- the bushes are getting dry and brittle and brown starting at the bottom --i wonder if i should be letting them go a while without water--but it seems a sign of too much water would be soggy stems, slimey leaves or mold, mildew etc--while dry, brown and brittle would be too hot and dry

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Aug 24, 2007

Usually if you're overwatering, the lower leaves will turn yellow first, then sometimes they go black from mold or sometimes they'll turn brown or fall off (if the plants are in a sunny location, they probably wouldn't get the black/slimy look, they'd probably dry up instead). But dry and brittle could also be underwatering, or just the result of a stressed plant baking in the sun. If you planted things during the summer especially if your weather's been hot, it's very difficult to get plants established, you'll have some that make it, but there'll also be quite a few that don't no matter how careful you are about watering, etc. If there's still any life left in them, I'd rig up some shade to protect them as much as possible from the heat of the sun, then make sure you're watering them appropriately--check regularly by sticking your finger a couple inches down into the soil, if it feel dry give them a good drink but if it feels wet then hold off a bit.

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planolinda Plano, TX Aug 24, 2007

ok--i will rig up a little shade and check if the soil is wet a couple inches down--thanks

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lacewing121 Highland, IN Aug 26, 2007

I had this problem once, and discovered that the roots on the plant were rotting, and the plant was drying out on the topside because the roots weren't working that well. So check your roots, if the above solution doesn't work!

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planolinda Plano, TX Aug 31, 2007

thanks--i have made myself leave them alone for a few days and they seem to be doing a little better so i think it might be too much watering!

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