27-06-2003, 07:32 PM
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Morning Glory--sudden total yellowing -brownign of bottom leaves
From: DigitalVinyl
Date: Fri, Jun 27, 2003 1:00 PM
Message-id:
I have a pot with three morning glories and a few small plants filling
the center. The morning glories aren't that full-planted late, had
some trouble.
Today I found that all the bottom leaves on all three are yellow. Some
have tan-grey centers between the veins like they are rotting-burning.
It is on new and large old leaves. They didn't look like this
yesterday afternoon. Yesterday morning I did give this pot some light
liquid fertilizer with the water.
They other 4 plants in the same pot are unaffected. All are green.
Are morning glories a heavier feeder? more sensitive to Iron
deficiency? Some root problem?
COuld this just be light deficiency?
The roof overhangs are blocking more light in that spot that I thought
when I put them there. I could put them out in the sun and maybe they
would either perk up or burn...
DiGiTAL ViNYL (no email)
Zone 6b/7, Westchester Co, NY, 1 mile off L.I.Sound
1st Year Gardener
First of all, it's the nature of morning glories to lose their first leaves
(think baby teeth) by yellowing/browning off. Simply cut them off when they
start to look bad. If the vine is growing strongly, lower-leaf dieback isn't
an indication of a problem.
Second, morning glories aren't heavy feeders at all, but they do like a shot of
very mild liquid feed a couple of times a season, and this is particularly
necessary if you've got them growing in containers.
Third, water them before they get too dry. Water stress (too much or too
little) will cause weak plants. Morning glories have lots of very fine roots
and don't store moisture; this combined with lots of thin, large leaves can
make them thirsty. However, even with the best care they do tend to wilt
temporarily when hit with bright sun; best to see if the soil is still damp
before watering them again. (You should have them in a very well-draining mix
so that even some overwatering won't hurt them.)
Different varieties of morning glory behave differently and some tend to have
leaf problems even if they're otherwise healthy and blooming. They're also
subject to flea beetle damage....little holes in the leaves.....but this is
only for a relatively brief period, so don't think about spraying or other
insecticidal treatment; it's not necessary and probably not useful. A mist of
water from the hose can be useful in general, but don't do this when the sun is
hitting 'em. I believe that I've had some good results with using a mild
fertilizer as a foliar spray, as well (also, not when the sun's gonna hit
them).
Next, morning glories do need full or nearly-full sun.....at least five hours a
day, starting in the morning.
Last, always plant more than you need.
As an aside, I don't know what you're growing, but I always have more trouble
with Heavenly Blues than any other varieties, although I insist on planting
them because they are the Essential Morning Glory. But I also grow Scarlet
O'Hara and a whole mess of other smaller-flowered varieties (e.g., Star of
Yelta) that have many fewer problems and bloom earlier.
Good luck.....and enjoy.
Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa z7
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