Question
QUESTION: Hi Nick - hope you can help me. I have a beautiful and otherwise very healthy mandevilla that is growing like crazy right now...It is posted and gets AM sun but seems very happy (based on growth and blooms)> I've noticed the leaves at the bottom of the plant are browning from the tip...too much water? not enough water?
thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Wendy, wish I could see an image, but my best guess is that it probably isn't anything to be concerned about, bottom leaves naturally brown out and fall off, and the alert is when upper leaves show this;  I always tell questioners that as a plant matures, it is normal for the lower growth to expire, and it is important for proper cultural practice, to prune these off as it happens. The bottom line here Wendy, is that the plant is happy, and is showing no signs of stress; prune the lower leaves away, and keep an eye on the upper ones. Nick

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Madevilla leaves   QUESTION: ask and you shall receive - I've attached a photo - thanks for your help and hope after seeing these you're still comfortable with what is happening!

ANSWER: ...how much water have you been giving them Wendy, and any soluble or granular fertilizer? This browning is not normal, there are several reasons for it, from a watering problem to a burning problem from too much fertilizer....let me know:)

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QUESTION: that is what i was afraid of....i just fertized it with Hibiscus fertilizer...yikes! i've used it before but I fear I may have used too much!  It's granular...what should I do?!? thanks again for you assistance! FYI I usually water it every day...I live in San Antonio and it's over 100 degrees every day

Answer
...you need to change out the soil, it is evident now, from what you followed up with, that there is probably a salt build up in the soil from the granular or it was too strong for the roots and compromised them. New soil will alleviate this problem, and in the future, a half solution of a soluble, like Miracle-Grow or Peters every month will be fine. When you water, water thoroughly until water comes out the drainage holes, then not again, until the soil is dry to touch several inches down. Mulch the top over also, to slow the drying process. Nick