My Columnea schiedeana gets really bare at the top of the plant to a couple of inches where it meets the soil.
I trim the bottom of the plant but it never bushes up. It's in a small container that dries out quickly for some reason.
Is that the problem? How can I fix the plant?
Bare at top Columnea schiedeana
I can only tell you what i do and it may not be right.
I use my regular potting mix for columnea, too. That would be 1 part African Violet soil-less mix, 1 part perlite and 1/2 part vermiculite.
Even though the columneas are out side they have the same mix, but i can tell you that mine are not looking so hot either.
I started this one, Light Prince, with just 3 cuttings and about a month ago she was going crazy growing and then.................silence.........you can tell by her picture she is doing the same thing as yours.
Maybe someone else will come along and help us.
Here she was a month ago under lights
Here she is today on the front porch.
I am bringing her back inside under lights as she way too wet. I think that I will keep her inside until the winter is over so that I can make sure she doesn't get too much water.
I too have had this same problem with Columnea. I thought I read somewhere that you needed to constantly prune them back for blooms because they bloom on new growth only but I may be thinking of some other plant. I only have one Columnea that seems to be doing well and that is C. 'Carnival'. It is blooming like crazy and seems to be happy. Maybe I should move the others to this location to see if they will improve.
I googled and can't really find much telling why they lose the leaves along the stems like that. I found this info at Logee's website: http://www.logees.com/ftg/CULTURAL-columnea.asp
Here's a picture I just went out and took of 'Carnival'
You know we 'hate' you , Lin (LOL)
Yours is gorgeous.........i will have to do some research and find out if they only bloom on new foliage like a bougainvillea. I am trying to make a big basket out of Light Prince and now I have this big setback in growth..............
I will read you Logee's site and thanks
I read it and I know two things I was doing wrong. I watered overhead when the sun was shining on it and it has been in temps down in the low 50's while I overwatered her, too.
Here's another photo I just took of two other Columnea plants. Look at how pitiful the one on the right looks! These were both labeled Columnea microphylla variegata and neither has variegated foliage and they are very different!
A close up of the pitiful one that is losing the leaves all along the stems.
My Episcias are doing the same thing too. :(
I bottom water, except for the Columnea b/c I don't even have to worry about leaves that aren't there getting wet.
They're in sunny windows. Regular house temps.
Maybe I just have to be more diligent and harsh when pruning back.