Question
Hi there-
I'd love some input on what might be happening wit my potted petunias, million bells and geraniums. We have had a ton of rain in my area so to help my pots rebloom and rebuild, I gave them a healthy dose of a Miracle Grow-type bloom buster 2 days ago (afer they had dried). I followed the directions for mixing but wasn't 100% exact (never had a problem before). Now both of my treated large wave petunias and mixed million bell/geranium pots look awful. New blooms are coming but the leaves and branches are all browing, curling and severely wilted. Any ideas what I can do to stop and repair this?
I have a lot of energy not to mention money invested so I hate to lose them.
Thanks much in advance.


Answer
The browning leaves will not repair themselves, but there are ways to help encourage new growth. One is to repot them in fresh soil, if you believe that the fertilizer is still in the soil at the healthy dose. If the damage is not that severe, try leaching the soil, by running water through it repeatedly to wash the fertilizer out. Be sure to give the plants plenty of sun to dry them out. This is a common problem. Knowing when and how much to fertilize comes with experience. That is why I encourage everyone to use good potting soil and add time release fertilizer to it. Then you don't have to add any more all season.

bakerplanter