| Hi, I also live in Phoenix and I I have Lantana plants in my yard and they grow in direct sunlight in intense heat and do wonderfully. So at my local Fry's Marketplace I have twice bought these little Lantana plants to pot them. The first time I potted one it shriveled up in the sun and died within an hour. The second one I left in the little container it came in figuring maybe the first one died because I transplanted it. That one also shriveled up and died the same day. Do you have any idea why this would be happening? Thank you so much for any advice! |
| I suspect that the little lantanas you purchased came directly from a greenhouse and then spent some time in the back of a truck during and probably some time indoors at Fry's. They just weren't ready for our hot afternoon sunshine. If you still have any new little lantanas left, put them in a bright location outdoors but out of direct sunshine. After they've been protected for 3-4 days, set them where they will get an hour or two of morning sun. Keep exposing them to more and more sunshine until they are spending all day in the sun. Since they'll still be in pots during this acclimation period, protect the pots and the root systems from hot sunshine - otherwise the roots will bake. If you can place an object in front of the pots to shield them from the sun but still allow the tops of the plants to be in sun, it will help the roots. Rocks or other pots make good shields. Hope this helps! |
