My Spider Plant isnt doing too well-- help pls

11 years ago

Hi all.

I know I am probibly being a pest here, but I am at a loss of what to do. My mama spider plant is so wilty and not growing, leaves are turning brown all over the place. Not just the tips, in the center of the leaves.

This started when I put it outside, then someone put it in the sun-- I didnt know about it untill a good few hours later, too late, it burned. That was about 4 wks ago. I cut all the burned leaves off. (almost gave it a crew cut) :(

Last weekend I re-soiled it with the 5:1:1 mix, it was not root bound or rot, and the old soil was fairly moist. I mist every day. I feed it once a month, low dose w/distilled water. Water when dry- about every 2 weeks. The few babies that are on it look real wilty, and the few shoots that are there, are not getting long. I do not see any new shoots coming in. Havent seen any new ones since about Jan. There were a few dead babies also. I cut them off as well.

I am at a loss-- What can I do to help it? I know it went from a huge East window, humid area, to this dark, dry room, but I am trying to keep it happy. Shaded porch.

I also would like to know how to get rid of "water spots" on my plants? very annoying.. but the spider plant is first in line..

Thanks in advance for any help- advice and imput

Marjie :)

p/s- sorry Al- I know you said to wait til the first of next month to re-soil-- but I couldn't.. maybe I should have?

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Comments (9)

User
11 years ago
It stinks when you come on here for advice & then don't do what the advice suggests. Then you come back to ask how to remedy your situation from not taking the advice you asked for in the first place. (Why even bother asking in the first place?)

Likely Al is far more diplomatic than I but could you PLEASE stop doing this?

Also, I think that (tho' your intentions are good) you fuss w/ your plants too much; you're going to kill them, w/ kindness & overnurture.

I don't really want an answer, but why did you re-soil them? When I thought you'd done that recently. Why, why, why when the plant was recently burned & then all cut back did you have to stress it further by 're-soiling' them? Each of these stress the plant, all combined it's likely cumulative stress, eventually it'll be more then the plant can overcome.

Stop fertilizing, it's not medicine & won't fix ailing plants.

What can you do to help it? Nothing, just PLEASE LEAVE THE PLANT ALONE; it needs time to recover.
Lamora
Original Author
11 years ago
Pirate--I am so sorry-- if you don't want to answer me--then dont. you don't have to get pissed off. I haven't asked about my Spider plant in a long time. Not really, mentioned it once. I thought I was doing what was advised, Just a few weeks early. It hasn't been resoiled in a year.

I am new with this- didnt know I was stresing it out so much. ok- I will leave it alone. Maybe I do fuss over them a lot-- I will try not to from now on.

EXCUSE ME!!for being so stupid.
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I disagree entirely with the idea that any plant stops growing foliage when "over-potted". To begin with 'over-potting' is a rather ambiguous term that is widely used w/o qualification. We can never make the assumption that a plant will be over-potted if we increase container size dramatically unless we have direct knowledge of how well or poorly the soil drains and how much air it will hold at container capacity (immediately after watering). BEST growth (greatest increase in biomass) is realized when plants' roots are unrestricted and they are potted in VERY large pots in a very fast draining, well-aerated soil. Nurserymen and greenhousemen are always diligent about bumping plants up to larger containers before roots fill the pot because they understand it maximizes growth and allows plants to grow with greater vitality than their counterparts with restricted roots. I'm not suggesting that everyone should grab a bag of Miracle-Gro and fill the largest pot they have and put a plant in it, because it takes an understanding of the relationship between pot size and soil type to determine what is appropriate. Those growing in sluggish soils that retain excess water (like Miracle-Gro) should avoid over-potting because of its potential negative effects on root health and ultimately plant health when you inevitably over-water. Those growing in well-aerated soils that hold no or little perched water needn't be concerned about 'over-potting' and can grow tiny plants, even cuttings in very large volumes of soil. Plants that are potted in soil volumes too large to be appropriate because the soils are excessively water-retentive suffer all the symptoms associated with poor root health and metabolism only when they are over-watered. It's not the soil volume that determines whether a plant is over-potted, it's soil consistency - water retention. For example, a plant in a quart container moved to a 3 gallon container of Miracle-Gro soil would be inappropriate, while the same plant moved to the same container filled with a fast draining and well-aerated soil would be entirely appropriate. This is a critically important point for plants with foliage easily spoiled (spider plants, peace lilies, Chinese evergreens .......) because through suppression of root function and metabolism, the heavy soils inhibit the plant's ability to move water to the most distal parts of the plant, those being leaf tips and margins. The result is the symptoms Lamora describes. As far as repotting houseplants in spring - I'll avoid it for 95% of the most commonly grown houseplants except in extreme emergencies because plants are usually at their lowest level of energy reserves in spring, though geography does play a part in decision making. A plant's energy reserves plus it's current ability to produce energy (food/photosynthate) determine how long it takes the plant to recover from a repotting. It is definitely to the plant's advantage to recover from a repotting asap because it reduces the duration of vulnerability to insects and disease pathogens; and since a plant's energy reserves and ability to produce energy are greatest by far during its period of most robust growth (usually July & August, except for the winter growers), it is much more prudent to work WITH the plants energy flow and growth cycle by repotting immediately before robust growth - usually June/July. Potting up, which doesn't include root pruning and complete or partial soil removal and replacement - only situating the plant in a larger pot and filling in around the edges and bottom with more soil - can be undertaken at any point in the growth cycle, but is also better undertaken during the same period that is best for repotting - summer. This is because a plant growing robustly during the warm months uses much more water for respiration, which minimizes the potential for ill effects of over-potting - in case the grower is using a heavy soil. Al
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Lamora, waiting a few days before repotting was a good idea. Some authors suggest waiting six-months, but when roots pop out of drainage holes, it's time to repot. If the pot is too large there will be problems. The max is 2" larger than the rootball. Miracle Gro is good soil, but it should be amended with other mediums like Perlite. MG has some Perlite mixed in, but not enough. So, if you decide to reduce pot size, add Perlite with MG. After repotting, 'pot needs drainage holes,' water thoroughly. Place in a bright to sunny spot, and let be. Watering depends on pot size, air moisture, and heat/cool temps. Soil should dry between waterings. Three ways to test soil is, 1. insert your finger or a thin stick deep in soil..if it comes out moist/wet, bottom soil is still wet. Don't water. 2. Lift pot. If it's heavy, soil is damp to wet. Don't water. If light, give it a drink. 3. Water guages. Don't bother with the little cardboard types..they're trash. If you want a decent guage, buy one at a reputable shop. But, inserting a stake/finger is the best, and econical way. No need spending money. Lamora..you didn't fail your plant. Losing plants is part of gardening and a way of learning. All gardeners, in and out, lost plants at times. We learn by our mistakes. Correct what we did wrong with the first plant. So, please don't feel bad. There are two other methods I use and find very helpful. you might or might not be interested. One is misting plants daily. Sprayers are inexpensive. The second is a product called Superthive. Superthrive contains hormones and 50 Vitamins. It does wonders with sick plants, seedlings or healthy plants that need a boost. It is not a fertilizer. In fact, it can be used with fertilizer, but not to be confused as a fertilizer. Neither methods are needed, but as a long-time gardener, I've been using/doing both over 20 yrs. Actually longer, but I won't go there, lol. Hope your Spider does well...Toni
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grrr4200
11 years ago
Lamora, you are definitely not stupid! You have questions that need to be answered. You are unsure of some things and need re-assurance. Yes potting up during a stressful time isn't the greatest but you thought it was. And that's okay. Some tips for you :)

The Spider Plant requires only light watering. Allow the soil to dry completely in between waterings. You only need to water the spider plant once every two weeks. If the foliage begins to show black tips or a yellow halo, you are probably over watering the plant. If the foliage begins to drop, the plant is ready for a drink. If the foliage begins to brown, try watering with distilled water. The Spider Plant has been known to have problems if there are chemicals in the water.

Spider Plants prefer natural light, but do not place them in direct sunlight. If the leaves begin turning brown, try moving the plant out of the direct light. If the plant is kept within 5 to 8 feet of a window it should grow fine.

Information i found is that they like loose airy soil as well. So although you recently repotted the plant check to see if the soil its in is really dense. if it is, unpot it and add some perlite to the mix and pot it back into its pot. Sure the plant is already stressed and yada yada yada but i have a feeling if we can correct what has happened thats wrong we may be able to move this plant into the correct path of gorgeous growth:) Everyone has differing opinions and what works for them with their house plants. as for me for instance. I water my jades once a week even though its frowned upon... it's what they like. I hope i threw some good info your way! goodluck with your spider!
marguerite_gw Zone 9a
11 years ago
Hi, pirate girl, I've been coming here for years as you no doubt know, and I never forget your posts.

I hope everything is going well with the spider plant now, Lamora. I think they are quite hard to kill, although I did manage to do that once a few years ago. I think I was killing them with kindness. As someone once said here, a little benign neglect can be a good thing. Now I don't worry about my plants and they all thrive. Best of luck!
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
From what I know of the situation, I would probably recommend a little more light if you have a spot where that's possible. You may have one that couldn't tolerate that much sun, but I can't imagine a spider plant that wouldn't appreciate at least an hour or so of morning or evening sun.
Lamora
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks grrr-- I honestly thought this is what I was doing. I didn't realize I was stressing it so much. I re-soiled it because I wanted to make sure it wasn't root bound or rot, and it was neither. It has been a year for the re-soil. It just is not growing, it hasn't been since Jan. That to me was strange in itself since I was under the impression that a Spider is a year round grower, it doesn't go dormat in winter. Or did I misunderstand that? It has very little "new" growth, and what it does have doesnt look well either. No new shoots at all. Now with it turning brown all over. I don't know what would cause that. The tips- yes, but this is in the center of the leaves.

I water it every 2 wks, feed once a month (this was before I re-soiled). Now with this new soil, I will have to see how fast it dries. And I won't feed it. Should I still mist it every day? Would some humidity help?

But I will leave it alone for a while. Put it outside when it is warm-- (not today- very cold wind and it prob won't make it to 63F today. but the wind is harsh today)

purple- she don't like sun at anytime of day I am finding out. I just put her in the shade of the porch and take her in when the afternoon sun hits it. Parinoid? OH yeah!!

marguerite-- I have a hard time neglecting them, but I think in this case it may be the best thing-- for now.

Thanks for the advice- makes me feel better.
Marjie :)
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
There's a clichÃÂ© about beating a dead horse, but... Imagine a person from Canada going to the beach in the spring. Skin that hasn't been touched by sunlight for half a year is suddenly exposed and burns within a few hours. Of course plants aren't people and don't have skin, but I think the analogy is similar when moving plants outside for "the on season." (Inside is the off season.) In my experience, plants grow so much better and so quickly outside in surprisingly high amounts of light that it's worth the occasional over-exuberant sunburn to make the effort to find the maximum amount of sun each plant can handle. When an "inside" leaf gets burned, it doesn't necessarily mean that a new leaf grown outside will get burned by the same exposure. It's the mid-day hours that you have to watch out for, the strongest rays.

Most of my pots end up kind of crowded at the east end of the porch where the shade hits them at about 11-11:30. I move them around all the time and set them in the lawn if I can before it rains. (Safer down there, too, if it gets windy.) You can see a couple spider plants in these pics. I still haven't gotten around to finding some chain or something to lower them a bit since the shade is getting them so early. I usually hang them on the west end but they got demoted due to the purple Tradescantias (zebrina.)

Yesterday evening:
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A few minutes ago:
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I love looking at these plants on the other side of the porch when the sun shines through them in the afternoon.
{{gwi:86672}}
Lamora
Original Author
11 years ago
Purple- You have some very nice plants! I was "looking" again for something new, found a few I would love to have, but decided that I need to get the ones I have growing some and learn more about what I am doing.
My prob is, the more I read/learn, the more confused I am. It is a "personal" thing, everyone has their own way of doing things, I just need to find mine. And I will.. someday.

Whatever you're doing, its working for you-- keep it up! :)
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Thanks for the nice compliments! Hopefully none of these Steves end up on my serial killer list. Smiles!!

My Spider Plant isnt doing too well-- help pls

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