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rjinga

potential fertilizer overdose, help please

19 years ago

I had some miracle grow that got rain water in it, and I thought it was more diluted than apparently it was. I put this on my plant yesterday, and today ALL but 2 leaves (the newest ones growing) have wilted and look curled up.

WHAT can I do?

I feel just horrible about this...Is there any hope to save this plant?

This is the only thing that I can think of that could be the problem. After I poured off the MG that was in the bottom of the bucket, I also gave the plant a big drink of water.

Please help...I can also post photos if anyone would like to see them.

Comments (9)

  • 19 years ago

    I would flush the pot again with lots of fresh water and move it to a semi shaded area for a few days. Make sure that your potting mix is well draining and the soil isn't retaining water.
    Karyn

  • 19 years ago

    I flushed it a bunch of times....here's a pic that might help see what has been done...should these leaves be left alone? will they just fall off?I'll be left with a stick plant....so very sad...

    {{gwi:1206794}}

  • 19 years ago

    Check drain holes. Flush for several minutes at a slow flow. Cut off any damaged leaves. Let it dry for several days. Throw away miracle grow and never use it again. You should have stopped fertilizing by now in your zone anyway. The ammonium phosphate not only burns leaves but also roots and kills many of the soils organisms. and it inhibits the release of potassium which is used to set flowers. The muriate of potash also has too much chlorine which also burns. If you use a short term fertilizer on a long term plant, you will run into problems. I am not surprised at the effects. Bill

  • 19 years ago

    this picture is just after refilling several times to flush it out...so that's why it appears to be really wet....It is not a "quick" quick drain, but it does drain within a few minutes. Not sure if that is "enough" drainage or not..the water (even when filling to the brim) does not sit long, it goes through.

    So will this plant survive? is it most likely burned from too strong of the miracle grow? Where and/or when will new leaves come? Should it also be flused a few more times over the next few days?

    This occurred sometime from later yesterday evening until after church today when I went out there to check on stuff.

  • 19 years ago

    rjinga, if it was mine, in addition to cutting off all the dry leaves (leave the tip leaves), I'd take it out of the pot and remove ALL the soil by soaking in a large bucket of water, then carefully repot it with 'just moist' soil. Try to preserve as many tender roots as possible. Place the plant in part shade and don't water much until it starts growing again. Since you're in zone 8, there should be time for it to bounce back before the weather gets cool.

  • 19 years ago

    Dave in nova....will there be any risk of it going into shock doing this removal of soil? I am ok with the process, just hate to make it worse somehow....I"m just sick about this btw...Guess that's a given....

  • 19 years ago

    Hello, I am very new to plumerias in comparison to most on the forum but if it was my plant and knew for sure it was the fertilizer I would definately take Dave's advice and repot into fresh compost because constantly wetting the old soil to remove the Miracle grow could in itself cause rot to the roots which are more important than the leaves which you will lose anyway come the winter. There is also a rule I learned many years ago from an expert-NEVER feed a sick plant so whatever you do this season don't feed.
    Hazel.

  • 19 years ago

    rjinga, I think it's already in shock. If you decide to repot it in fresh soil, just make sure you don't water it much. The plant has no leaves to take up the water and the existing roots would likely rot from sitting in wet soil.

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