Question
QUESTION: Hi Darlene,

I've had my indoor croton for roughly 4 weeks now and it's been doing so well, growing and sprouting new foilage.

I came home from work the day before yesterday to discover that my Croton was all droopy and sad looking.  I am wondering what may be causing this problem and how can i fix it?

Thanks
Suzie

ANSWER: Suzie,

It is either too much water or too little water. If the soil is dry water it.

If the soil is too wet you have overwatered it and you   have rotten roots. Make sure it is in a pot with a large drainage hole and a drain tray under it. Do not water it again until you can insert a long bamboo skewer into the soil and it comes out dry. Get the long bamboo skewers at the grocery store that you would use for long shish kabobs. This plant needs to get dry between waterings. You should not water it just because it has been a week and you think it is time to water it again.

This time of year, because the days are shorter, most of your house plants are semi dormant. Their growth has slowed and they are not using as much water as they do during the longer days of summer. An hour after you water
you should empty the drain tray so the plant is not sitting with a tray full of water. They do not like sitting in swamps. If it is too large to pick it up to empty it you can empty it by suctioning it out with a
turkey baster. Then do not water it again until you insert a bamboo skewer and it is dry again.

Also move it to the sunniest window you have. The more sun it gets the quicker your croton will recuperate. As it drys out and recuperates if the tips of the branches turn black or dry out and appear dead simply trim them back using sharp pruners or scissors to green healthy tissue. I hope it recuperates fast and if you use the bamboo skewer to determine if it needs watered and make sure you empty the drain tray after each watering you will not overwater it again. Good luck.

Darlene


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

QUESTION: Hi Darlene,

Thanks..I think I may have been over watering the poor thing! I'm in Australia and we have summer at the moment so I put it outside in the indirect sunlight to dry out.

One thing though..when I brought it back inside after it had been out for a few hours I noticed what looked like microscopic mite things crawling over it, kind of a light brown colour. As I'm new to the whole plant thing I am wondering if this is bad? Should I be getting some sort of spray to protect my plant?

Thanks Heaps,
Suzie

Answer
Suzi,

Crotons are sun lovers, here in the states in Florida where it doesn't frost they are planted outside in the ground in full sun. I would take it outside and leave it out as long as it is above 50 degrees at night. Put it in a location that it will get some sun for at least a few hours in the morning and it is shaded in the afternoon.

As for the insects they are probably fungus gnats attracted by the rotting roots because the plant was overwatered. If it is allowed to dry out they will go away. If you want to get rid of them quickly put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray them making sure you spray the fronts and backs of all leaves. It will kill the insects on contact and not hurt anything else including you. If you do not have rubbing alcohol you can use a tablespoon of dish detergents in a quart of room temperature water in a spray bottle and spray them making sure you spray the fronts and backs of all leaves. While it is outside you should remove the drain tray unless you are going to be very careful to empty it every time it rains or you water it. It will dry out faster outside and need watered more often. It will also be a lot healthier because of the air circulation, the night temperature drops, and the rain. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene