Question
Dear Will,

I have two indoor Jasmine trees about four feet high that I received as a gift just two months ago. They were thriving, with shiny dark green leaves, in a North facing window with full light all day. I was watering them once a week. Last week I noticed that all of a sudden their leaves had dried, paled and curled and were dropping. All the leaves on both plants were affected. Fearing mildew, I took off all the leaves (they were all dead) sprayed the plant with a little soapy water and washed the pots. Now I believe that they caught a draft on a very cold day in front of the window. There is quite a bit of new wood growth on the plants. What shall I do for them now?

Thank you,
Leigh

Answer
Hi Leigh,

How disappointing to discover healthy plants suddenly turned unhealthy!

I am not convinced that it was the cold that caused the leaf drop as Jasmine is not particularly cold sensitive. However, Jasmine is very sensitive to improper watering.

If the soil is allowed to get too dry even once, the Jasmine will react by wilting and dropping many or most of its leaves. If the soil is kept too moist, the damage is to the roots that gradually rot until they can no longer absorb water. At that point, the plant reacts as if it is deprived of water because it is, even though the soil is moist.

I don't know which may apply in your case. If the roots have rotted, then there is little you can do to get the plant to recover. If it was s single episode of drought, then there is an excellent chance of recovery.

Jasmine benefits from sharp pruning at this time of year, so I suggest that you prune the stems back sharply. If the roots are OK, then new growth will emerge from just below the stems where you made the pruning cuts. If no new growth comes in after 3 to 4 weeks, then you can assume the roots are terminally damaged.

If you can email some photos to me at my address below, I may be able to offer some additional advice.

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

www.HorticulturalHelp.com

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

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