what is causes this leaf damage?

15 years ago

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone is having a nice summer and your plumies are doing well.

As you can see in these pictures, some of the leaves on my plants are turning yellow from the center of the leaf and it spreads outward until the whole leaf is yellow.

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Is this common or is it a watering problem, fertilizer problem, stress, or something else I may not be doing correctly? They also seem to be a bit droopy. I water twice a week since the temps. here are in the upper 80's to low 90's. I use 1/2 dose of fertilizer every two weeks.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Rick

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Comments (8)

plume
15 years ago
I grew 7 plumies from babies now they are gorgeous and I am putting them in the ground. I already planted them and they look fabulous. Now my ques. In the summer I'm watering 6 min. 3 days a week. In the winter I don't know how to water them in the ground. In the winter I would put them in the garage. I'm lost and worried abt. when it gets cold. I don't want to lose any of these they're outstanding. If anyone out there can help I sure would appreciate it. Hey Bill are you out there??

Plume
tdogdad
15 years ago
Rick- It is common for leaves at the bottom (last from the tip) to yellow at this time of year and drop off. That plant looks like it has very few leaves so I would worry that it might be too hot. Is there heat radiating off the wall. You might shade the plant in the heat of the day. Your plant might also need more K (potassium) which wards of heat and cold.
Plume- Where are you located and what is your winter temperatures. Bill
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kimisdad
15 years ago
Hi Rick,

Just to expand on what Bill said. Also, forget the high middle number as a higher number of potassium will give you more bloom support and the help as Bill noted. The potassium must become a full season application routine or it will not be as big of a helper. In addition to the increase in "K" I would add Mag on every watering or at least once a week leaf/foliar application. We just finished a short run study and found as soon as pulled the foliar application of Mag for one week we had sun damage as your picture showed. It is imperative to add Mag to your growing routine June until complete leaf drop in fall.

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plumcr8zy
Original Author
15 years ago
Bill and Jack,
Thanks for that info. I'm in the San Gabriel Valley (Rosemead). Heat probably does radiate off that wall. Those plants along the wall get 9-10 hrs. of sun a day. I'll have to move the younger plants where they get some afternoon shade. I've been racking my brains out as to how I want to fix that area so I can display my plants there. It's a planter that runs the width of my backyard. I've been thinking about covering that wall with a bamboo screen that I can get at Home Depot and covering the dirt with some type of wood decking. I just need to get motivated and stop being so lazy.
I'll will give my plants more potassium. I do notice how some of you knowledgeable growers have very lush plants with plenty of leaves. Growing these plants is sure a science!. Jack, when you refer to Mag, are you referring to Magnesium? Can this combination of potassium and mag be bought in one fertilizer or are they separate chemicals?
I've rambled on long enough.
Thanks again,
Rick
tdogdad
15 years ago

By
Fence from HD held up with large green garden poles also from HD works like a charm. Bill
iowajojo
15 years ago
Hmmmmm Bill, you just gave me an idea for a bit of protection from the deer next year...
Thanks!
plumcr8zy
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi Bill,
That is what I had in mind to cover that wall. The poles are a good idea. I won't have to drill into the wall to hold it up.
How green your leaves are compared to mine. Mine sure look sickly. I'm embarrassed to post any pictures of my plants now.
I went to a large nursery here in San Gabriel and asked about potassium. They pointed me to a product called
Sul Po Mag (0-0-20). Will that satisfy the potassium deficiency? Also, I bought some Epsom Salts. Hopefully, this will help my plants have greener leaves and look a little healthier. Can you tell me how often I should give
this to the plants (or is it too late in the season) and at what point do I stop feeding them.
You've been a great help and thanks,
Rick
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
15 years ago
Rick,

I'm not sure how anyone can make a diagnosis based upon that photo. To me, it looks like spider mite damage the way you described it ('spreading outward'). If the plants are in a hot, dry area, with limited air circulation, spider mites could certainly cause that leaf discoloration. But you would need to look at the leaves VERY closely to see the mites. At the magnification you posted I think it is too hard to tell what's going on. My 2 cents.