Over-watering
- Brown or black spots on leaves
- Stems look mushy
- Plant is wilted
- Soil feels wet
Under-watering
- Plant is wilted
- Soil feels dry
Insects
- Holes in leaves
- Chewed leaves, distorted leaves
- Pin-size holes in stem
- Back of leaves look silvery with tiny black spots
- Leaves look rusty
Fertilizer
- Too little fertilizer – stunted yellow growth
- Too much fertilizer – leaves have brown, damaged looking edges, leaves may turn black
- A slight excess can cause rich lush growth, usually with no flowering which can suffer damage at onset of cold
Microorganisms
- White powdery substance on the leaves
- Browning and spotting of the leaves
- Other Plant Problems
Animals
- Bark stripped off trees and shrubs
- If top of plant dies for no apparent reason, roots may have been eaten by grubs or gophers
Tree Graft
- Union may not be compatible; though the tree has appeared to thrive for several years
- Tree goes into unexplainable decline
These are just a few of the things which can damage otherwise healthy plants. Hopefully these general guidelines will head you in the right direction to alleviate the problem and prevent future ones!
Get Expert Help
If you need expert help, call Meadows Farms! Visit one of our many locations or checkout our online shop if you’re ready to tackle your plant’s problem.