Q. We planted three “creepers” this spring and
all but one is thriving. As you can see
from the photo the leaves are being stripped.
I’ve checked at different times of day for bugs but all I can see are a
few ants. Any suggestions?
all but one is thriving. As you can see
from the photo the leaves are being stripped.
I’ve checked at different times of day for bugs but all I can see are a
few ants. Any suggestions?
 |
| What the reader called “creeper” which I think is trumpet creeper. |
A. I believe the plant is one of the trumpet vines or
trumpet creepers judging from the foliage. I will post your picture on my blog.
trumpet creepers judging from the foliage. I will post your picture on my blog.
Are you
sure the leaves are stripped or is the plant dropping its leaves? These plants
will require at least eight hours of full sun each day. They like full sun. If
they don’t get enough light, they will drop their leaves.
sure the leaves are stripped or is the plant dropping its leaves? These plants
will require at least eight hours of full sun each day. They like full sun. If
they don’t get enough light, they will drop their leaves.
If they
are watered too often, they will drop their leaves. Or, if they are being
watered the same, if one spot does not drain water as well as the other spots,
you might have leaf drop.
are watered too often, they will drop their leaves. Or, if they are being
watered the same, if one spot does not drain water as well as the other spots,
you might have leaf drop.
Some
plants will drop their leaves shortly after planting or if they are planted in
locations that are radically different in light levels from the nursery. Check
to see if these stems are still supple and bend easily and not dead. If they are
still supple and there is plenty of sunlight, you will probably see new leaves
coming out.
plants will drop their leaves shortly after planting or if they are planted in
locations that are radically different in light levels from the nursery. Check
to see if these stems are still supple and bend easily and not dead. If they are
still supple and there is plenty of sunlight, you will probably see new leaves
coming out.
You
should be aware that as the plant gets older, it will lose its leaves on the
older wood unless there is no growth coming from those older stems. On those
older stems you should expect them to be without foliage as they get older
unless you prune the plant to maintain that foliage.
should be aware that as the plant gets older, it will lose its leaves on the
older wood unless there is no growth coming from those older stems. On those
older stems you should expect them to be without foliage as they get older
unless you prune the plant to maintain that foliage.
Leaves
being stripped off the plants don’t make sense to me but there are A LOT of
things that don’t make sense to me. I suppose it is possible an insect could be
stripping the leaves off but I would think you would see its presence. I don’t
know of any night feeders that would be stripping them off.
being stripped off the plants don’t make sense to me but there are A LOT of
things that don’t make sense to me. I suppose it is possible an insect could be
stripping the leaves off but I would think you would see its presence. I don’t
know of any night feeders that would be stripping them off.
As a
precaution, flush the soil around the plants with LOTS of water, several times.
Add a good fertilizer such as a Miracle Gro, Peters or Scotts product. Get on a
watering schedule for trees and shrubs and not for flowers. Let’s see what
happens.
precaution, flush the soil around the plants with LOTS of water, several times.
Add a good fertilizer such as a Miracle Gro, Peters or Scotts product. Get on a
watering schedule for trees and shrubs and not for flowers. Let’s see what
happens.
i have the same problem. Only the bottom 1/3 or so of the vine is stripped….the remaining stems are green, the rest of the plant is healthy.