Question
I have a BOP that I kept indoors for many years. It became so big I decided I would move it outside until winter. I live on the nothern coast of California. I hardened it off for a few weeks and then planted it in a spot that gets morning sun and partical shade in the late afternoon. It survived the moved but within two weeks it developed small black spots on the spines of the leaves , almost solid black and then decreases as the spots move outward. The leaves are droopy but not wilted. The leaves are still soft compared to an outside grown BOP, which has stiff, hard leaves. It has never had a flower. What should I do, pot it back up and move it back inside, or does it need something that my soil doesn't contain? After all these years I hate to see it die.

Answer
Hi Bobbie, it is always difficult on a plant moved outside (stress), and many times they need an adjustment period; albeit I am not sure what those black spots are, especially without seeing them, it sounds like it may have had its first exposure to the many fungal spores that exist outside the protected environment of the inside of your house. I would spray it with a Copper fungicide, and see if the new emerging leaves are devoid of it, thus telling you that it is indeed a fungal problem. Other then that, I would watch it for awhile more and if the problem does get worse, and you begin to see more stressful reactions (the drooping leaves or even browning), then yes, move it back into its container, but keep it outdoors and see if that turns it in a positive direction. Nick