HELP! New coleus drooping after potting!
I just received three Neptune coleus today, and they looked fine when I unboxed them. They had damp newpaper wrapped around their roots, with a small amount of soil, and cling wrap over that. I potted them in 4" pots (that's how they were at the grower's) with damp Miracle Gro and generous perlite, and small amount of bark orchid mix. I just now checked on them, and they are ALL drooping badly! What should I do? The first three pics are what they looked like right after potting. The second two pics are what they look like now. Please, I need help quickly! I don't want to lose them. Should I put baggies over them?
Comments (11)
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Leaves drooping after being in the sun
Comments (4)Hello Sehrat. You didn't say what area you live in. It could make all the difference, especially when it comes to the sun being a factor. In my area, the sun has the strength of a strong flash light at high noon which will burn nothing. I can even stick a plant that has never seen the outdoors in full sun and it won't even get burnt. What I can tell you is that if your soil has been toooo wet for too long, root rot will set in rapidly and cause your leaves to wilt in warm sunshine because it will not take up moisture. Why not learn to use your finger, feel if your plant needs water by the weight of the pot, or use a very much easier method, a wooden dowel or wooden shish kabob stick? I have never had good results with moisture meters and have still over watered plants with them. I no longer use them. Your tree should not have done that unless you live in a very hot climate where the sun is very hot. If it is just a matter of your trees not taking up moisture rapid enough to keep up with the hot sun, it should come around and not be wilted by dusk....See Morealoe drooping even MORE after increasing light :( (update)
Comments (23)So I decided to give up on this plant and got rid of it. From what you guys were saying, that both the roots and the leaves were unhealthy, it really didn't seem like it was likely to survive, and I didn't want it to slowly die over a period of a few months. That just seemed cruel. I'm giving up on plants altogether. I have killed every plant I've ever owned except for one, despite going into it with the best of intentions for care. Aloe is supposed to be the easiest plant to take care of and I still messed it up somehow. It's clear that I'm just a failure when it comes to nurturing living beings in general. I have one cactus left that (I think) is doing well (it just put on new growth a few weeks ago) and I'm going to find another home for it ASAP. I really don't want to bring living things into my home just to kill them. Thanks for your responses....See MoreIs it normal for roses to droop after replanting?
Comments (5)Oh, I hope so. It's in shock, which is common when transplanting. Keep roots moist, but well drained. I would cut off the bud, so it can focus on healing its roots. Place out of direct sunlight for a few days. Hopefully it will perk up soon....See MoreLily drooping after adding soil
Comments (4)If all the organic matter has decomposed in the soil then it's probably compacted and likely be hydrophobic/water repellent. Water would have bypassed the soil the roots are in and hence the wilting. As previously advised, you need to get rid of the remaining old soil and repot in new. That will give you a more even saturation of the soil during watering and even draining afterwards....See More- 7 years ago
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoPinching the plant and cutting the large leaves in half or removing them altogether is a good way to avoid total collapse (which it seems you avoided) of plants like coleus and impatiens. This practice reduces the volume of foliage the roots have to supply water to and helps the plant maintain turgidity. It's the same principle used when preparing fresh cuttings before sticking them.
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Al
- 7 years ago
- 7 years ago
See the new branches forming in the axils (crotches) of the larger leaves? Those are enough to sustain the plant (provide food) for now. As soon as the root system gains an equilibrium with the leaves, the plant should start pushing growth earnestly - providing soil conditions are conducive to good root health and the plant's wants in the areas of light, temp, and nutrition are being met. I think I count 5 large leaves I'd remove entirely at this point. One reason is, they're always going to look 'washed out' anyway - not bright and vibrant like the new leaves will.
I don't do the 30 or so large mixed plantings for the gardens decks like I used to, but I used to use a LOT of Coleus. You might enjoy some shots.
Al
Randi Holbrook thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a) - 7 years ago
- 7 years agoRandi Holbrook thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
7 years ago
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