posted
The leaves on my lipstick plant, which I've had for over 3 years, are suddenly shrivelling up. I haven't changed its watering or light, can't find signs of insects and the plant hasn't been exposed to drafts (unlike my ivy - but that's another sad, sad story!)
Any advice? Should I prune the branches back to healthy leaves or just remove the dead (but still green) leaves and hope for new growth?
Cricket
Seeded: 70.66.52.31
Amy R.
guest
posted
Hi Cricket, I used to live on San Juan Island, WA before moving down to the desert(mmm, warm). I heard it's been kinda nasty up there, but spring is just around the corner! Anyway, I just purchased an absolutely gorgeous Aeschynanthus yesterday(please don't kill it, pleeeze), so I did a little reading up on them. My info says to cut the stems back to a height of 6 inches(after flowering) to produce new growth. Does this help any?
Seeded: 24.255.50.223
Cricket
guest
posted
Thanks, Amy, I'll try that. I've only pruned it once because it's been doing so well.
Yup, spring is around the corner! Tomorrow temperatures are forecast mid to high 50's. The 3ft of snow we received couple weeks ago is nearly gone. The only plant I'm concerned about after our cold snap is my gardenia, whose leaves have mostly turned black. Maybe it'll come back?
It must have been quite the adjustment to move from San Juan to the desert?!
Seeded: 70.66.52.31
Amy R.
guest
posted
Wow, Cricket, 3ft. of snow! San Juan only got a couple of inches, but it's all gone now. And Tucson is grreat, although I usually spend the summers up there. Anywho, about your gardenia...do you usually cut her back? I have had two down here, and so far neither one really wants to "go". i had no idea how finicky the little buggers are. I have resigned myself to keeping them as foliage plants. So good luck to you and your plant babies, and have a nice weekend! (It's supposed to be 80 here, yes!) Amy
Seeded: 24.255.50.223
Cricket
guest
posted
I've only had the gardenia since last spring - it's still in a pot on the patio as I haven't yet determined the best time to plant it in the ground. Infestations of spider mites kept returning when it was indoors, so I thought I'd try it oudoors.
quote: It's supposed to be 80 here, yes!)
Ummm, Amy, do you have a spare room?
Seeded: 70.66.52.31
Amy R.
guest
posted
LOL, Cricket! Of course, you are welcome anytime. I just hope you don't mind sharing the room with a veritable jungle. I am a regular houseplant junkie, but at least it keeps me out of trouble, hee hee.
You've got spider mites? I just discovered Mealy Bugs, yuck! So my lovely weekend has just taken a nose dive. With almost 80 indoor plants at the moment, I cannot have Mealy Bugs!!! Any tips outside the ordinary? We've got lots of critters running around, so I like to keep it on the natural side. Eh?
Seeded: 24.255.50.223
Cricket
guest
posted
Thanks, Amy! Jungle is great - I'm packing! And did I tell you my dog and cat are with me?
posted
Thanks for the link, Cricket. I'm off to buy alcohol, you know for the mealy bugs, tee hee. Dog and cat are fine, they will fit right in with our zoo. Cheers, Amy
Seeded: 24.255.50.223
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- but that's another sad, sad story!)
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