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irisxrushford

pink splash problems

irisxrushford
11 years ago

I've had my pink splash plant for about 2 years. During this time it has gotten very tall but only the top inch of each "branch" has leaves. Because its so tall I wrapped it around a piece of wood so it would stand. The other day I noticed two of the stems are turning yellow the next day one of them was completely dead the other was still yellow but leaves looked alright. Is wrapping them around the pole a problem? I've never actually seen it but I didn't want it to be floppy. Also is this reason there are no leaves on most of the stems? If not what else would randomly make the stems go bad?

Comments (12)

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    11 years ago

    It sounds like it's not getting enough light, combined with too much water. Is it inside? Even in the yard, mine get spindly like that. Before they get to the point you describe, I trim them.

    You might enjoy reading this this article.

  • tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
    11 years ago

    The tufted/poodle/pom pom look comes from being root bound, one of the primary indicators of which is growth concentrated around meristematic regions (the branch tips), but it sounds like there are other issues in play, with many possibilities. What kind of light is the plant in - getting enough?

    First, you need to inspect carefully for any signs of insect predation. If you can eliminate that issue, there's a good degree of certainty that the issue lies within in a combination of watering habits, soil choice, or the level of soluble salts in the soil from tap water & fertilizers. All of these three probabilities are very closely related.

    Something more definitive might be possible in terms of diagnosis with more information, but the best way to approach a problem is to learn how to prevent it in the first place. Firmly attached to learning how to prevent the problem is the blessing of healthy plants. Essentially, the things involved with being consistently able to bring along plants that are happy are few. Most important are an appropriate soil that you can water correctly and good light. Closely following are a good nutritional supplementation program and understanding Howe to care for the roots. Potting up offers a brief reprieve3 from the steady decline of tight roots, while repotting which includes root work, restores plants to their fullest potential for growth and good vitality.

    When did you last pot up?

    This link offers an overview of some of the basics, and should be helpful.

    Al


  • birdsnblooms
    11 years ago

    Iris..By Pink Splash, I'm assuming you mean Hypestes or Pink Polka Dot???

    Pink Splash tends to get spindly as they mature.

    PS definately needs pinching back, moreso when grown as a house plant.

    PS are sold here as annuals. They do wonderful outdoors, but when grown inside can be problematic.

    Pinch/prune back a couple inches..how tall is your plant? Normally, PS is grown on the short side. 5-9".

    Place in bright light.
    In summer, soil needs to be moderately moist, otherwise they wilt. If you've ever let soil dry too much, you know what I mean...?
    During winter, soil needs to dry a little between waterings.
    Kept in a cool, airy room.

    There are a few reasons your PS leaves are yellowing. Over-watering and Spider Mites.
    If your plant isn't getting adequate air, mites will attack. Check for webbing. Hope pests aren't the problem; it never hurts to check.

    It'd really benefit if you can summer this plant outdoors in a shady spot.

    If by chance you find webbing, (spider mites) 'though I doubt pests are the issue,' it's important ridding them before they cause more damage.

    Congrats keeping your Pink Splash 2 years. They're not the easiest plants growing indoors. Toni

  • veronika76
    11 years ago

    I received a Pink Splash plant as a gift from a friend I haven't seen in 20 years. I am the worst person when it comes to taking care of any kind of plants of flowers. I thought this was a nice gesture and I wanted to take good care
    of this plant. I have left it at my office and we have a housekeeper who waters our plants and so I knew this would be the perfect place for my plant. However I didint see her the housekeeper water the plant like usual and so I watered it by accident. The next day my co-worker watered it and later that day we noticed that it wasnt as lively as other days. How can I re cooperate my plant? it looks like its dying. One side of the plant looks good, NOT great like usual. but ok...i guess. Its the back of the plant that doesn't look so good. I put it outside to see if some of the water would evaporate for about 30 mon. then brought it back in. Now it looks worse.... what can I do? HELP!

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    11 years ago

    Veronika, the roots of that plant are too far gone to save, IMO, especially in an indoor situation. Are you familiar with taking cuttings? These plants root easily in water, and starting over that way is what I would do, possibly just leaving it in the water permanently if it's going to be an indoor plant. This is not one of the "easy" plants to keep inside, so don't be too hard on yourself.

  • birdsnblooms
    11 years ago

    Veronika..Pink Splash is not one of the easiest plants indoors.
    It's sold here as an annual, but can be raised as a house plant with proper light, watering, airy rooms and pinching tips.

    You can take cuttings as Purple suggested. They're fast rooting.
    Also, keep the mom plant. New stems/leaves 'should' grow. But, in order to keep Pink Splash a happy camper, it needs bright light, 'no direct sun,' fresh, circulating air, some humidity, bi-monthly, tip pinching, fertilizer, 'during growing season,' and good, well-draining but fertile soil.

    When you placed outside, what type of sun was it getting? The leaves of PS burn, especially after it's been indoors. It should have been placed in a shady spot, more than 30 mins.

    For the time, remove dead foliage. Do not water until soil feels semi-dry. Not too dry..PS is a water hog during summer months. 'If hot and sunny.'
    During winter, or gray days, soil needs less water. Toni

  • irisxrushford
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    My pink splash has continued to grow and I finally want to cut it back. I usually root things in water but I tried with another cutting and it just diedshould I try again in the vase or what is a good way to root my pink splash. Also, to make these plants bushier I just pinch off the top two leaves?

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    11 years ago

    Hey, that's cool! I've been whacking at these plants that are in the ground for the past couple months and have had mostly success sticking pieces in the soil in other places, pots and in the ground. Don't know if it would work so well in dry air inside. I'm doing this all outside, extremely humid here, of course! Pieces that do not have a flowering stalk have been much more successful.

    Pinching leaves lower on the stem encourages more lower branches. Pinching only the tips encourages a split into two tips, but not necessarily any more lower branches. I usually do a lot of both, consistently/constantly from the time the season starts until I don't think new branches will have time to get big enough to be a cutting - not just as an occasional thing. With selective pinching, you can encourage your plant into more of a "tree" shape or a rounded "bush" shape, depending on your preference. However, this particular plant really wants to make tall, lanky stems. I think it really needs dappled light throughout the day to be at its' absolute best but I don't really have a spot like that to offer it.

  • irisxrushford
    Original Author
    11 years ago

    My plant has been inside ever since I got it, which is about 2 and a half years I even bought another pink splash to add to the pot because there were only 3 pieces and all were growing tall but not bushy I've been pinching more on the bottom to all and now they have more leaves but still lanky like you said the tallest one was grew to about 2 feet but there are only leaves on the top 3 inches I want to cut that down and root it so its not as tall I have other plants that get in the way of its sunlight so its at least somewhat dappled inside

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    11 years ago

    Please let us know how it goes. I have a feeling at least one of the pots I'll feel compelled to bring inside when the frost is coming will have some of this plant growing in it. I'll try to remember to do the same.

  • eahamel
    11 years ago

    Purple, I've been growing it outside in a bed for about 3 years and it hasn't frozen, even though last year and year before we had record freezes both Januaries. That means around 25 or lower constantly for a week or so. Unheard of here. I just transplanted most of it to another bed where it gets just about full sun and it's doing fine, though it needs a lot of water. Where I had it before, it was in beds that I'd ignored for a long time, and they were lost in the weeds. I was surprised to find them! I have the dark pink one.

  • Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
    11 years ago

    Interesting! Maybe some of these will survive in my yard. Even if stuff dies back to the ground, I'm trying to leave everything outside that can survive. Just so much easier.

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