Q. I have a Mexican Bird of Paradise and ‘Sun Trumpet’
Tacoma plant growing close together. Both have deformed, dwarfed growth, and
damaged leaves. The Bird of Paradise feels sticky as well. I tried sprays for
insects, including Neem oil, and cut the plants down completely to have them
grow back with the same issue. Other plants in the yard are doing fine. Any
help is appreciated.
Tacoma plant growing close together. Both have deformed, dwarfed growth, and
damaged leaves. The Bird of Paradise feels sticky as well. I tried sprays for
insects, including Neem oil, and cut the plants down completely to have them
grow back with the same issue. Other plants in the yard are doing fine. Any
help is appreciated.
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| Herbicides applied to the soil or on a hot windy day can result in damage to the leaves and stems of plants. Sometimes plant death. |
A. I don’t think these plants are facing a disease or
insect problem.
insect problem.
Soil Contamination Possibly
It is hard to say without guessing, but from your description
it sounds like a soil contamination issue. Plant an ornamental grass and
broadleaf plant in that area and see if you get the same response. If it were a
cooler time of the year, I would tell you to germinate a seed mix with grasses
and wildflowers in it.
it sounds like a soil contamination issue. Plant an ornamental grass and
broadleaf plant in that area and see if you get the same response. If it were a
cooler time of the year, I would tell you to germinate a seed mix with grasses
and wildflowers in it.
Brush Killer or Soil Sterilant
There
may be a weed killer applied to this area and responsible for this problem. Some
weed killers like dicamba, if applied at a heavy dose or used as a “brush
killer”, can damage broadleaf plants like your Bird of Paradise and Tacoma and
not hurt grasses. The high rate of this type of herbicide is why some weed
killers are labeled as a “Brush Killer”. There are other weed killers sold as
“Soil Sterilant” that can persist for years and kill most plants grown in that
soil.
may be a weed killer applied to this area and responsible for this problem. Some
weed killers like dicamba, if applied at a heavy dose or used as a “brush
killer”, can damage broadleaf plants like your Bird of Paradise and Tacoma and
not hurt grasses. The high rate of this type of herbicide is why some weed
killers are labeled as a “Brush Killer”. There are other weed killers sold as
“Soil Sterilant” that can persist for years and kill most plants grown in that
soil.
Replace Soil or Change Plants
Some
weed killers are difficult to remove by leaching with water. If the ornamental
grass isn’t damaged but the broadleaf plants are, then either replace the soil
in that area to a depth of about 12 inches deep or only grow ornamental grasses
in that spot.
weed killers are difficult to remove by leaching with water. If the ornamental
grass isn’t damaged but the broadleaf plants are, then either replace the soil
in that area to a depth of about 12 inches deep or only grow ornamental grasses
in that spot.