Pam gave me a fine article on Reviving Neglected Plants. To fix a problem, you have to work out whats causing it. The most common cause is stress - pest, disease, nutrient deficiencies & water. * Water:- Wilting leaves are an indication of too little or too much water. Woody plants can be revived. Aloes or succulents tend to rot with too much water. try repotting into a bigger pot, ass sandy soil to allow better drainage. Same in the garden, move to a drier spot, add sand. Gypsum can be added to break up clay soils, make the soil more friable. However, long term additions of organic matter will also be needed to improve the soil over time. *Nutrients:- You need to get a pH tester. Ideally the result should be between 5.5 & 7. Above 7 is alkaline, you may need to add sulphur, or pine needles can give same effect. Acidic soils (below 5) will need lime. * Leaf Colour:- A lack of potassium often leads to yellowing & browning around leaf edge. Easily rectified by a handful of potash (wood ash). Phosphorous deficiencies cause purpling of leaves. Nitrogen deficiencies (daphne) shows yellowing off of the whole plant. For both of these, you need chicken poo. Daphne loves Epsom salts too. Iron deficiency (lemon tree) shows pronounced green veins on young leaves. The tree will need chelated iron. If the whole tree is yellow, it needs chook poo. * Pest & Disease:- You need to do research for this one. Too many, way too many. Best thing, like our own bodies, is to build up the immune system of the plant. You can make willow tree tea from willow bark. The bark contains salicylic acid - a natural plant immune booster. Soak the bark in a bucket for a few days, strain & water plants. (you can get willow bark from health food shops, if you cant access a willow) Thanks Pam, very interesting.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:51:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015