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blupit007
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« on: October 01, 2010, 01:04:46 PM » |
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So my poor Belle plant is sick again. I got her as a 2 gallon pot in June. I have only had a couple blooms on her since. She has been the victim of many spider mite outbreaks. Usually the first to get them and last to get rid of them. I suspect that she is a pretty old plant due to her large base and several large stumps from cuttings left exposed. I have brought her back to health (or so I think anyway) from multiple mite infestations about 3 times. She lost leaves and grew them back again and again.
Now she has been getting yellowing leaves that die and fall off. There are no spider mites on her what so ever. I noticed this change in her when I got home from vacation September 18Th. Before I left, I moved her to a spot in my house that I thought had nice morning sunlight, however it did not. When I got home, several leaves had fallen off (about 1/2 the plant) and have continued since then.
Now I have cut off 3 de-leaved stems that have gone soft (squish when I pinch and look dehydrated). She is now smaller then the 4" pot that I got from HVH last month. I potted her up a couple days ago because although I took her out of her original pot when I got her, the new pot I put her in was exactly the same size, which caused me to have to give her a bit of a shove to have her fit. Her soil was always more packed looking then my other hibs, but I ignored that due to the worm castings I put on the top to try to rid the mite issue. The castings made some look more packed then others. So I potted her up to a 10" the other day with some nice soil.
Today I found some white mold on one of the naked stems as well as on one of the old stumps. I cut the stems all off only to leave the one or two that have healthy leaves still. The new growth is looking wilty so I was going to treat with Super Nova for wilt disease, but now that this white mold is showing, I don't know what to think.
Any thoughts??
The first photo is of the mold on the stump. The second is her with her ever growing haircut.
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-Kristen
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Doll
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« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2010, 02:04:41 PM » |
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I think you will need to use one of the recommended fungicides and do a soil drenching at this point.
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"An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life."
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blupit007
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« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2010, 07:25:44 PM » |
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What is a soil drench? Do you think the whole plant is rotting?
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-Kristen
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Charlie
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« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2010, 07:32:56 PM » |
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I'm afraid it's time for drastic measures because it is likely to die soon otherwise. What you need to do is first cut off that leafless stem that has a bad spot about half way up. Cut it back to brown wood.
Then pour a pint (16 ounces) of regular chlorine bleach into a gallon container. Fill it the rest of the way with water. Drench the potting mix with this solution. Do not water again for at least 2 weeks but when it finally dries out add just a little water once a week until it is actively growing again.
I've seen this work sometimes in this situation.
Charlie
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davidwood
David In Nha Trang Vietnam
Posts: 1034
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« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2010, 12:04:14 AM » |
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What would be intersting to know is whats caused the problem in the first place,or at least the likely cause,i am sure most of us at some time or other have had a similar problem,at least i know i have.
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David.
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blupit007
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« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2010, 05:43:04 AM » |
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OK, will do. Do I give the entire gallon?
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-Kristen
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Charlie
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« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2010, 06:27:50 AM » |
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Try to soak the entire rootball with the gallon of solution. It may not need that much before the water is pouring out the holes but the idea is to kill any fungus living in the soil or on the roots. Surprisingly, hibiscus are not bothered by bleach at all - as long as it is diluted and is not applied more than once.
David, hibiscus are usually killed by fungus and/or bacteria that enter the plant through wounds. Insects feeding on the plant is another primary vector for spreading these pathogenic organisms. Once inside they multiply and spread throughout the plant, clogging up the system that circulates water and nutrients. Hibiscus can fight these off to some extent but other times they lose the battle and are overwhelmed. Spider mites both create feeding holes in the plants that organisms can enter through and weaken the plant by causing loss of the leaves that provide energy and carbohydrates through photosynthesis. In the weakened state the pathogens can get the upper hand and the hibiscus can't fight them off.
Charlie
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blupit007
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« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2010, 06:39:21 AM » |
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Thanks Charlie,
I was thinking that I would chop the entire branch off (where I am pointing my finger at) What do you think? There are a bunch of old cuts on the setms that is where the mold is. I don't know if I would be hurting it by leaving those there and starting fresh, or if cutting it more would be worse. What do you think?
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-Kristen
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Charlie
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« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2010, 06:52:38 AM » |
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That branch looks to be infected. I would cut it and hope the plant will be able to grow back from what is left. Sometimes they do, sometimes not.
Good luck!
Charlie
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blupit007
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« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2010, 07:45:54 AM » |
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Thanks Charlie, will keep you posted.
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-Kristen
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