| Author | Content |
rga
Pompano Beach, FL
May 10, 2009
08:10 AM Post #6528988
| Someone gave me a passion plant. It was doing well when suddenly the leaves began turning yellowish-orange. Upon closer look, I found little white spots on the leaves and the stems. Then, I discovered little web tents on the leaves and where stems grow out of one another and on the trellis. I went to the place the plant was purchased and they told to spray the plant with water with a bit of liquid hand soap in it. I did that and removed the worst leaves, leaving only a few. Now, they have all died. I see new buds trying to come out, but as soon as a leaf is evident, it dies. I have looked for the white spots and have not seen any more.
I live in a condo in south Florida and the plant is on my patio. Is there any hope for this plant?
Thanks. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
May 10, 2009
10:14 AM Post #6529385
| Can you post some pictures? The webbing could mean spider mites which are a bad thing, but it could also just be regular spiders too which will eat bad bugs so there's no need to get rid of them. The usual symptoms of spider mites are a stippled yellow pattern on the leaves, and if you look on the underside of the leaves very closely you will see little tiny brownish red dots. The little white spots on the leaves doesn't sound like spider mites to me so I suspect there's something else going on. Also whenever plants are losing leaves, I would also check on your watering and make sure you're not overwatering it--try sticking your finger down a couple inches into the pot and see how wet it feels. |
rga
Pompano Beach, FL
May 11, 2009
10:12 AM Post #6533409
| Thanks for your help. I am attaching a picture of one of the 2 remaining leaves. The other one is in the same sad shape. I will send another post immediately to show the entire plant. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
rga
Pompano Beach, FL
May 11, 2009
10:14 AM Post #6533420
| Here is a second picture of my passion plant. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
May 11, 2009
10:49 AM Post #6533594
| I'm going to stick with my overwatering theory--that looks like a pretty large pot for a vine that's not that big yet and that makes it very easy to overwater things. Try sticking your fingers a few inches down into the pot and see how wet it feels. |
rga
Pompano Beach, FL
May 12, 2009
06:46 AM Post #6537720
| Thank you. I had been told that they liked to be kept moist and the pot drains well, but I will take your thought and let it dry out and see if that works. Another question, the vines have a whitish film on them. Is that normal? |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
May 12, 2009
09:44 AM Post #6538276
| I suspect you're probably keeping it too wet--I've found they can get a bit dry in between waterings and be just fine. You don't want to let them get too dry in between waterings, but given the size of your pot and the fact that you were trying to keep it on the wet side I really suspect you're watering it too often.
As far as the white film--depends on what it is whether it's a problem or not. It could just be hard water deposits from your water in which case there's nothing to worry about. |
rga
Pompano Beach, FL
May 13, 2009
07:06 AM Post #6542262
| Thank you. I am letting it dry out. My problem with plants is that I'm never sure about the watering. I've read what seems like conflicting information to me -- yellowing leaves can mean watering too much or not enough! How is one to know?
I love plants, but just don't seem to have the knack/knowledge of how to care for them well. :(
|
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
May 13, 2009
09:41 AM Post #6542730
| Unfortunately the symptoms of over and under watering can appear somewhat similar--the best way to know which one is happening to you is to do the finger test that I suggested above...that way you'll know for sure how wet things are. If it's bone dry, then your yellowing leaves were probably due to underwatering, but if it's feeling very wet then you're most likely overwatering. Given the large size of your pot and the fact that you were trying to keep it wet I strongly suspect in your case it was overwatering though. |
rga
Pompano Beach, FL
May 18, 2009
08:27 AM Post #6564055
| I want to thank you, you have been right on! There are new shoots coming out now and they appear to be very healthy. I guess in time, the plant will be a luscious as it was starting to be before. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
(Zone 9a)
May 18, 2009
09:43 AM Post #6564390
| Glad to hear it's coming back! Plants can be pretty tough. |
