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| I have some beautiful container geraniums, but the leaves are turning yellow at the bottom of the plants. I have removed many discolored leaves, but others keep turning. Have sprayed with a systemic for insects & disease twice with no improvement. They get full sun all day. Both the lantana & the angelonia that are in the container with them show no signs of disease, etc. I really hate to lose these, but they are not going to last the summer. 5 or 6 leaves are yellowing/browning every other day. I don't think it's too much water, as I let them get a little dry before I re-water.. Could it be the Miracle Grow Fertilizer? Will include a picture, so hopefully that will help some experts out there! Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by ken_adrian MI z5 (My Page) on Mon, Jun 30, 14 at 9:44
| how about a pic of the whole plant/basket ... did you create the baskets.. or buy them intact... whatever it is.. it isnt bugs.. so stop spraying them how long ago did you bring them home... i would be more interested in how vigorous that growth tip is.. as compared to the oldest leaves on the plant ... insert finger.. and water when they need it.. it sounds like you are guessing ... ken |
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| Ken, thanks for your response. Hope this picture of the container helps. I purchased all the flowers at our local nursery & then arranged/planted them in my containers. No problems when I bought the flowers in mid May. Used Fafard potting soil (have used it successfully for years). Both young and old leaves at bottom are turning yellow/brown from the edges in. Keeps moving upward though & not slowing down. Just hate to lose them. They are beautiful. |
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| Hi Sally, The geraniums may be suffering a nutrient deficiency, and not a disease or insect problem. You have several blooming plants in a pot, with quite a bit of competition for nutrients in a fairly limited volume. You mentioned that you are feeding Miracle-Gro. Miracle-Gro has several formulas, so which Miracle-Gro are you using? And how frequently are you using it? The nutrient deficiency symptoms in your leaf could be from a shortage of phosphorous and/or potassium. I would recommend that you switch to Miracle-Gro Bloom Booster which is high in phosphorous, which blooming plants use a lot of. Normally Miracle-Gro is diluted to one tablespoon per gallon every 7 to 14 days. I recommend you go to a somewhat weaker dilution, maybe half strength to 1.5 teaspoons or even just one teaspoon per gallon, but every time you water your pots, use the dilute Miracle-Gro instead of plain water. ZM |
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| I use organics in my established beds, but use MG - or whatever is cheap on the container plants. Because I am forgetful, I simply fertilize at 1/4 strength every time I water (which is daily in hot weather) Containers dry out fast and need watering regularly/ All of that water washes out the fertilizer, so regular doses help. BTW - nice looking planter! |
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- Posted by ken_adrian MI z5 (My Page) on Tue, Jul 1, 14 at 15:53
| zen... did you see the pic??? that pot is suffering nothing .. crikey ... looks better than all my pots.. lol ... an odd leaf.. here or there isnt anything to write home.. or GW about ... especially the older.. lower or interior leaves ... frankly.. you are on the verge of loving them to death ... just water them properly.. and i suspect you have 99% chance of enjoying them all season ... now.. with that many plants jammed in there ... i might suspect.. that if you dont change out the soil for next year.. you might have some deficiency of nutrients ... NEXT YEAR ... i would not be surprised.. if the Gs get leggy .. and need to be cut back ... if so ... you trace back a branch.. and look for a small bud.. some way back up the branch.. and cut just beyond such.. that bud will respond by becoming active.. and start filling back in ... dont do all branches at once.. to maintain the pot ken |
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- Posted by glad2garden 5, Chicopee, Mass (My Page) on Tue, Jul 1, 14 at 21:20
| That always happens to my geraniums. I just pick off the leaves when they start looking ratty. Nice patio, btw. |
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| Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm using Miracle Grow Bloom Booster, once weekly. I understand there can be a salt buildup with Miracle Grow, so I've decided to change to an organic fertilizer, Jack's Classics Bloom Booster, which is 10-30-20. I just have a feeling the Miracle Grow could be burning the leaves. Directions on MG state to use one tablespoon per gallon of water. I've diluted some & have used one tablespoon to a gallon & half. But I really like the suggestions all of you have given. I do change the top half of the soil every year - hope that is sufficient? By the way, thanks for the compliments! I will try to stop loving them to death. :). But so many of the interior leaves have turned yellow & brown. Seems a little excessive to me, usually haven't had so much of a leaf loss. |
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