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Brown leaves and spots on Jacobinia plant

7 years ago

I have two jacobinia plants on my front porch that are developing brown leaves and spots. The plants are a year old and they were perfect until about a month ago. They are in full shade with just reflected light and they are watered at the base by hand, so the leaves never get wet. I haven't been able to figure out if they're getting scorched by the heat, if they're over/under watered or if they have a disease. Any help would be appreciated.
I'm wondering if I can hard prune them and let them rebound from their stems or if they're a total loss.

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Comments (4)

katieeyler
Original Author
7 years ago
Here is a close up of the leaves. I hope this helps.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
7 years ago
Does the container have sufficient drainage holes? Is the potting medium coarse and fast draining or dense and mucky? The leaves look exceedingly chlorotic. What is your fertilization routine?

We can't tell you if the plant is over or under watered; only you can do that. Improper watering is another issue entirely. When little sips of water are doled out instead of a complete drench, hydrophobic pockets can form within the soil volume.

Disease symptoms can occur if cultural conditions are chronically poor. A waterlogged soil, for example, can result in the onset of root and foliar disorders, even leading to the death of a plant.

I think that you need to evaluate the existing conditions. Whether or not these plants can recover after being cut back will probably depend on a complete change of potting medium, maybe root pruning, a watering routine that allows for drying cycles in between drenchings, and a common sense fertilizer program.
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Any damage that is showing on your plants is mechanical - that means it came to be from shipping and other transport, handling or jostling. It is not the result of diseases or insects nor does it look like any watering issues. In reality, these plants look pretty darn good considering most big box stores do not take the slightest bit of care with their plants (hence the evidence of damage you are seeing). As to fertilizing, you need to identify your plants and then do a bit of research, as not all plants benefit from similar fertilization methods nor do they require it at the same time. Cacti and succulents have different needs than do tropical foliage plants and flowering houseplants (orchids, African violets, flowering gift plants) have yet another set of needs. In general, an all purpose liquid fertilizer used at 1/2 to 1/3 strength with every other watering is appropriate for most tropicals during their primary growing season (March through October) but you can get by with quite a bit less. I'd suggest you post this on the House Plants forum both to get accurate ID's on your plants and their advice as to when, how much and with what to best fertilize what you have.
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katieeyler
Original Author
7 years ago
I give them a thorough soaking every few days, letting the soil dry between waterings. I feed them slow release fertilizer pellets every three months. As for the soil, it's basic potting soil and the pots definitely drain properly.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
basic potting soil and the pots definitely drain properly.

===>> 'definitely' is a tough word, used here ... how do you know???? .. that the drainage of your potting media.. is proper for these plants..

there is a presumption here.. that all potting media is equal and perfect.. trust me .. it isnt ... and some of the worst is the brand name stuff.. you find in big box stores ...

has this plant ever been repotted???

do you water.. when the plant NEEDS water... or simply flood it every few days????

i am thinking you have a water management issue.. and its either the media.. or the applicator ...

i am not familiar with this plant ... so i cant go much further ....

i do wish you luck ....

ken

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