Q. This is a picture of my hibiscus leaf but my star
jasmine and rose leaves have the same damage. Also, my hibiscus buds are
falling off. I don’t see any creatures. What do you think?
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| Hibiscus leaf with damage |
A. When thinking about damage to leaves, the
possibilities can be mind-boggling and confusing. The fact you tell me this
same type of problem exists on the leaves of other plants usually means it is
not a plant disease. If that is true, we can narrow down solutions to the
problem better.
possibilities can be mind-boggling and confusing. The fact you tell me this
same type of problem exists on the leaves of other plants usually means it is
not a plant disease. If that is true, we can narrow down solutions to the
problem better.
Sun damage? When I first saw the damage to this leaf my first thought
was “sun damage”. If this is an older leaf, then it could be damage caused weeks
or months ago. If this damage is on newer leaves, then it is more recent damage
and could still be going on.
was “sun damage”. If this is an older leaf, then it could be damage caused weeks
or months ago. If this damage is on newer leaves, then it is more recent damage
and could still be going on.
I am guessing this is damage to older leaves. I am guessing
the damage occurred one or two weeks to a month ago, or perhaps even longer.
The most important question is whether the newest leaves are showing this damage
or not. If they are not, then the problem is gone and we are talking
historically.
the damage occurred one or two weeks to a month ago, or perhaps even longer.
The most important question is whether the newest leaves are showing this damage
or not. If they are not, then the problem is gone and we are talking
historically.
If the problem is persisting on new leaves, then the
problem still exists. Sticking my neck out somewhat, I think this may be an old
watering problem during the very high temperatures of summer. If the younger
leaves are not showing the same problems, then the plants were not getting
enough water during the heat, but now are, since it’s cooler and the need for
water is less.
problem still exists. Sticking my neck out somewhat, I think this may be an old
watering problem during the very high temperatures of summer. If the younger
leaves are not showing the same problems, then the plants were not getting
enough water during the heat, but now are, since it’s cooler and the need for
water is less.
If you have not done so, applying a 2 to 4-inch layer of
woodchips to the surface of the soil helps during times of extreme heat and
preventing this from happening.
woodchips to the surface of the soil helps during times of extreme heat and
preventing this from happening.
The issue of flower bud drop on hibiscus is usually water
or temperature related; the soil is too dry or the air temperatures are too
high. Woodchip surface mulch helps but make sure the plant is getting enough
gallons of water each time it is watered. Growing it in bright, indirect light
rather than full sunlight also helps.
or temperature related; the soil is too dry or the air temperatures are too
high. Woodchip surface mulch helps but make sure the plant is getting enough
gallons of water each time it is watered. Growing it in bright, indirect light
rather than full sunlight also helps.
This plant may require
adding another drip emitter. When temperatures begin cooling, you should start
seeing flowers and less bud drop.