Houseplants

» Susan Walsh - First Aid For Houseplants

Have an ailing plant? Post here for help!

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» mirokusanna - First Aid For Houseplants

In response to First Aid For Houseplants posted by SueNY:

I have a Dieffenbachia in a pot that seems mostly healthy, with leaf growth and a healthy shine on the leaves. It's in an approx. 6 inch pot, and I just repotted it this spring so I know it isn't potbound. I water it only when the soil is dry to the first inch deep, until it runs out the bottom, and make sure it doesn't sit in it, etc. The only problem is that it drops leaves. It isn't having a major impact on the foliage, and I don't even know whether it's just normal plant aging, but it seems like every month it loses about 5 or 6 leaves. But it doesn't look unhealthy in any other way, and the leaf loss isn't impacting its appearance since it has so many other leaves. Should I be worried about something, or is this just what dieffenbachia does?

-- posted by mirokusanna

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» Susan Walsh - First Aid For Houseplants

In response to First Aid For Houseplants posted by mirokusanna:

Hi there-
Is your Dieffenbachia near an air conditioner or other draft source? If so, that's likely the problem. Low humidity can also cause leaf loss. If it's just the lower leaves however, then it's nothing to worry about as it's normal for them to lose their lower leaves as they age. Hope this helped!

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» AsbestosMango - Drooping aloe vera

Help! I bought an aloe vera about two weeks ago- well, rescused it from CVS. The soil was bone dry. I rewetted the root ball and put it in a new pot- didn't really loosen the root ball.

Some of the leaves on a couple of the plants are drooping and trying to fall over. They seem quite fat- maybe too much water? I did let the soil dry out before I watered again yesterday and now more of the leaves are drooping. Another possibility I've considered i they are over crowded and should be separated-there were about 3-4 largish plants in a three-inch pot, which I put in a four inch pot.

I know aloes are tough, but after my sorry luck with the mini-roses, I'm anxiously awaiting any advice I can get before I try to do anything with the plant.

-- posted by AsbestosMango

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» Susan Walsh - Drooping aloe vera

In response to Drooping aloe vera posted by AsbestosMango:

Hi!
It sounds like it may be rootbound. Was the rootball more root than soil? If so you can try carefully seperating the plants. Are the leaves soft and mushy? That's a sign of overwatering. If they are wrinkling, they are probably reacting to being underwatered for so long. If they are still firm and smooth, then they just need more light. A western or eastern window should do the trick. Good luck!

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» arcticblonde - White fuzzy mold on soil and base of Gerbera Daisy plant

I bought a Gerbera Daisy from a local nursery about a month ago to have as an indoor houseplant. The leaves look droopy and now that the original blooms drooped and died, I cut them off because there were new ones emerging. Now the new buds at the base of the plant & the base of all the stems/leaves are engulfed in this white fuzz. There is also white powdery looking fuzz on top of most of the soil. The whole plant is droopy and dying. Is there anything I can do to save it?

-- posted by arcticblonde

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» Susan Walsh - White fuzzy mold on soil and base of Gerbera Daisy plant

In response to White fuzzy mold on soil and base of Gerbera Daisy plant posted by arcticblonde:

Hi arcticblonde. It sounds like your plant has powdery mildew. You can treat with a commercial fungicide or make up your own-mix 4 parts water with one tablespoon of baking soda and one part rubbing alcohol. Mix in a spray bottle and spray as needed. To prevent in the future, be careful not to overwater or keep the plant in a cool damp area. Good luck!

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