| some of the leaves are turning brown what am i doing wrong |
| You can deadhead or trim off the faded flowers, cut the flower stem just above a leaf so you don't leave bare stubbs. Discolored leaves can be an indication of over or underwatering or possible a disease problem. The soil should be organic and evenly moist like a wrung out sponge, not saturated/sopping wet and not dried out. Using an organic mulch several inches thick in a flat layer over the root area can help keep the soil moist. To know if you need to water, dig into the soil with your finger. If it is still damp, do not water yet. When you do water, water slowly and thoroughly so it soaks down to the deepest roots. After watering, wait a few hours and then dig down to see how far it actually soaked in; sometimes it can be surprising. It is better to water deeply less often than to water lightly every day or every other day. When you water, avoid wetting the foliage. If you think you have been watering correctly, then it might be a disease problem. I would suggest you consult with your local county extension to obtain a specific diagnosis and based on knowing that, determine how to proceed. If it is something that requires a chemical control, they will have the most up to date information on what to use and how/when is best to apply it for maximum results. In the meantime, clean up any fallen foliage and any badly browned foliage and dispose of it in the trash to limit sources of reinfection. Do the same in the fall for the same reason. |
