Question
The tip of the leaves are turning yellow and brown. I tried to cut the tip when it turned yellow and brown but it continues to have the same problem. I tried not to over or under water the plant and always removed any excess water that accumulates in the bottom of the saucer. The plant is near the window with enough light. Theirs some new leaves that's coming out and it's healthy but majority of the leaves has yellow and brown tip. I don't know what to do,please help me. I don't want my plant to die, I had it since 1989, just 2 ft tall and now, it's almost 5-6 ft tall. Thank you for any suggestion.....

Answer
Hi Cora,

Yellow and brown tipping of Janet Craig leaves is quite common as they age. There are a number of causes for this.

Allowing the soil to get too dry, even just once in a while.

Using water that is on the hard side. Switch to filtered or distilled.

Using fertilizer at more than half the recommended strength.

Allowing roots to wander out of drainage holes. Unpot the plant, trim off large roots at the bottom of the rootball, add an inch of fresh soil to the bottom of the pot, and then put it back into the same pot.

Allowing the pH of the soil, to get too low (too acidic). Adding some horticultural lime or gypsum to the soil will help reduce the soil acidity.


Once the tips have discolored, all you can do is to trim off the discolored part and take the appropriate remedies mentioned above. This should limit future damage.

If many of the leaves have been removed or look badly trimmed, then you might consider pruning back some of the stems.

If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

Visit my web site at www.HorticulturalHelp.com

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