HOW TO RESCUE DYING PLANTS – There is nothing worse than watching a plant you love dying but what can you do? The guide below gives some very practical tips on how to rescue a dying plant.
Step 1
Soil – Check the soil to make sure the plant has the right conditions for growing. See our Soil Preparation section for more information on soil quality and how to improve it. Basically undertake a soil PH Check. These kits can be purchased at any good DIY Store or Garden Nursery. Determine the species of plant that is dying as this will determine the PH levels that are required for the plant. This is one of the most common causes of why a plant dies. It’s a really easy job to do and with a PH tester it will take mere minutes to find out what the PH levels are in your soil – simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using the testing kit.
Step 2
Roots – check the roots of the plant to ensure they are not too compacted. This is generally a problem for potted plants so it might be time to upgrade to a bigger pot. One quick check is to look under the pot. If you see nothing but roots or the roots have protruded from the drainage holes in the pot then you really must re-pot your plant without delay.
Step 3
Watering Potted Plants – DO NOT over water a potted plant. Too much water can cause the roots to rot and which will kill your plant. Take a look at the pot tray… is this full of water? This is a classic sign of over watering. Empty the tray of water so that any roots are not drowning in water. A good tip here is once a week, dip your finger in the soil. If the soil is nice and moist then it doesn’t need any water. Try covering the top of the soil with mulch. This will have two effects – 1. It will make a nice decorative feature to your plant and pot and; 2. Mulch retains water and moisture and slowly releases it into the soil over time. This reduces the amount of times you need to water your plants. Just check the mulch on a weekly basis – if it is very dry, then give it a little water.
Step 4
Watering Outdoor Plants – Dig deep around the plant and go beyond the root system. Now water the ground heavily for at least 10 minutes. This will get the plant to dig its roots deep to get at the water and promote strength in the plant.
Step 5
Pests & Diseases – Check your plant of any unwanted pests or plant diseases and treat accordingly.
Step 6
Exotic Plants – If you are growing plants that are tropical, for example, Pitcher Plants, then special care is required. You can see more guides for caring for plants in our Garden Plants section in the Gardening Guides menu above.
Acknowledgements: Video - Howcast.com
