I have a Nandina Domestica in my West faced balcony. When I bought it a month ago, it was really beautiful and healthy but now the leaves are very very dry, brownish and almost crinkled....what happened? I have watered it regularly and also added some general purpose plant food, I just want to know what I have done wrong and if the plant is dead?

On 3/30/12 1:17 PM, laurap74 wrote:
I have a Nandina Domestica in my West faced balcony. When I bought it a
month ago, it was really beautiful and healthy but now the leaves are
very very dry, brownish and almost crinkled....what happened? I have
watered it regularly and also added some general purpose plant food, I
just want to know what I have done wrong and if the plant is dead?

Does the container have a drain hole at the bottom? If not, the plant
might have drowned.

Was the soil somewhat dry when you fed it? If so, you might have burned
the roots with the fertilizer. The soil should be moist (not wet) when
you feed potted plants; then you should add some water to start the
process of rinsing the fertilizer into the soil (but not enough water to
make the soil soggy).

You might have over-fed it or used fertilizer that is too strong.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary

Hi David,
thank you for your answer.If this is the case then, how can I save the plant? I really like it and I am not going to lose it so quickly! any advice?

On 3/31/12 4:20 AM, laurap74 wrote:
'David E. Ross[_2_ Wrote:
;954618']On 3/30/12 1:17 PM, laurap74 wrote:-
I have a Nandina Domestica in my West faced balcony. When I bought it
a
month ago, it was really beautiful and healthy but now the leaves are
very very dry, brownish and almost crinkled....what happened? I have
watered it regularly and also added some general purpose plant food, I
just want to know what I have done wrong and if the plant is dead?-

Does the container have a drain hole at the bottom? If not, the plant
might have drowned.

Was the soil somewhat dry when you fed it? If so, you might have
burned
the roots with the fertilizer. The soil should be moist (not wet) when
you feed potted plants; then you should add some water to start the
process of rinsing the fertilizer into the soil (but not enough water
to
make the soil soggy).

You might have over-fed it or used fertilizer that is too strong.


Hi David,
thank you for your answer.If this is the case then, how can I save the
plant? I really like it and I am not going to lose it so quickly! any
advice?


Take it back to where you bought it and ask if they will replace it.
Otherwise, I don't think it can be salvaged.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean, see
http://www.rossde.com/garden/climate.html
Gardening diary at http://www.rossde.com/garden/diary