Not sure if this post belongs here

11 years ago

Hello,

I have this plant which doesn't have a description as it came in an old pack of variety seeds I had on the shelf. It was doing very well....It took over three months for me to get the first blooms which were very nice looking. Almost looks like a purple daisy type flower.

Over the past few weeks most of the mature plants, which haven't even bloomed yet, are coming under attack from something. It almost seems as if the plant just stops taking up nutrients from the soil. They start looking like they need a good watering, when in fact the soil is perfectly wet. It continues on until the plant eventually just withers and dies where it stands.

It's jumped from one plant to the next. Now it looks like its even effecting the ones that have bloomed. It's wiping out the whole pot. Very unfortunate seeing as it's taken them this long to bloom, only to have them wiped out before they can show how spectacular they would have been all in bloom together.

This is what they look like when they start to wilt and die.....

Hopefully somebody will have an idea as to what is going on here. Thank you in advance.

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Comments (4)

cicivacation
11 years ago
I believe that's either an Aster or Mum, but I'm not sure which. Definitely not dahlia.

I am wondering if you are overwatering for this species. Sounds like some type of root pathogen... Or perhaps you over-fertilized? Did someone spray herbicide anywhere close to the pots? Even the slightest wind drift could cause this (to my deep chagrin, as I found out with potted landscape plants that hadn't been dug in yet)

Just some thoughts... Hopefully one of them rings true for you.
cj_speciosa
Original Author
11 years ago
I could be over watering......Although, this time of year around here that's nearly impossible. I could also be over fertilizing. I have been heavy handed with the miracle grow on my ornamentals this season.

What ever it is, it is definitley root related. The ones I've pulled out and inspected don't show any visible signs of rot, but then again I am just a weekend warrior gardening enthusiast. I wouldn't really no what I was looking at unless it jumped right out at me. Kind of like when your car breaks down and you pop the hood, despite not knowing anything about mechanics.....

and I've looked them up based on your suggestion. They are in fact, Asters. So thank you for that.
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cicivacation
11 years ago
In my experience, pretty much every plant fairs better in the ground then in pots, when they depend so much on my dubious care. The exception to that is critter-control, where things ground-level can get decimated by one hungry critter in a night.

Hope you save some aster seeds for next years garden... They are beaut's!
Gary Figueroa [Zone 8B]
11 years ago
Typically, I find that people under/overwater. Under/over feed their plants. Reading your post where you declare it's the roots but yet you find no evidence of rot caught my attention. The reality of plant culture is there is a complicated morass of disease that mimic one another. Then add to the mix the complication of fertilization, irrigation, soil management and I think you'll agree a lot is going on and can be as confusing all at once. So, here's what I do. Strive for consistency. If you water at 10AM, do it at that time each time you water. Feed according to label directions, but, if you elect to go early, do it the same time, every time. Flowering plants in general love sunshine. Recognize the generality and act accordingly. Don't be afraid to prep your soil prior to planting. Amend as needed. Perform a soil test. Don't guess. Lastly, if you think you might have over fed your plants, drench them with water to flush away the soluble materials. It's easier if you used a water soluble fertilizer.