Question

Brwon leaves of my NBJ   QUESTION: Hi

I live in Calgary (Zone 3). I am growing a night blooming Jasmine as indoor plant from cuttings in a 8 inch pot (water rooting). Now it is almost about 12 months old. My plant doesn抰 like sun. When it got sun the leaves get burned. So now my plants got light but not direct sun. It bloomed once but next time all its buds suddenly dried out. Now I noticed that all of my new growing leaves and some mature leaves are dried out. I saw some of the tiny bugs on the leaves (may be spider mite ? not too many). I try to wash with water. I am using cactus mix with some miracle grow potting soil for this plant. Note that my friend got same plant as cuttings from the same mother plant couple of months ago but his plant is now growing like crazy and now almost six feet tall (mine is one and half). I tried to get all the information from him and try to follow but may be I am unfortunate. I need some suggestions for: how to get rid of spider mites and how to get a healthy plant. I will appreciate your feedback.


Thanks

Sharmin

ANSWER: Hi Sharmin,

The brown leaf tips are not caused by too much light or by insects or spider mites. The problem is root related. It could be that the soil is staying too moist because you are watering too often or the pot is too big. Or it could be that you are allowing the soil to dry out too much. Excess fertilizer will also cause leaf tip burn and so will hard water. These same root problems will also cause buds to drop before opening.

I know that does not give you the specific answer you are seeking, but without seeing a photo of the entire plant, including its pot and knowing more about your watering and fertilizing routines, I cannot be more specific with my diagnosis.

To treat spider mites, thoroughly spray the entire plant with a solution of water and liquid dish soap. It is important to get all leaf and stems surfaces dripping wet.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
         
Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Night blooming jasmine   QUESTION: Hi

Thank you very very much for your answer. I already washed the plant with soap and water. It looks ok now. I will check next couple of weeks to followup for the spider mite. About the burned leaves, you are right it could be the problem with root. First I planted in a big pot, then re-potted in an 8 inch pot. While re-potting, I saw the root was not growing too much. So I used bone meal. As a result the plant looked happy and it bloomed for the first time. I used Miracle grow bloom buster fertilizer once in a month. Once I use bone meal and the buds came but when some of them are in half bloom, suddenly they dried out. But, I didn't use any fertilizer since last month. Now a days, I water once in a week when I feel that the upper surface is dry. I use bone meal sometimes in the soil also and try to make it bloom. May be now the soil got too much bone meal in it. So This all about my one year old plant. Please suggest me what should I do.

Thanks

Sharmin  

Answer
Hi Sharmin,

It looks like your plant is double-potted. If so, take the inner pot out and flush lots of clear water through the soil to flush out all of the excess fertilizer you have added. If the inner pot does not have drainage holes, then you have to repot into a smaller pot with drainage holes.

To get it to flower, you will have to wait until it is really quite potbound. At least some direct sunlight will also increase the chances of flowering.

You need to be a bit more patient with your plant, letting it flower when it is ready rather than trying to force it to bloom with repotting and fertilizer.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.
         
Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected]
or call me at 917-887-8601 (EDT)
  
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC