great blossoms but yellow leaves
By squaretile
@squaretile (3778)
Singapore
February 27, 2008 3:39am CST
So I have this desert rose plant. I bought it more than a month ago and it has been blooming well.
In fact, it's 20 or so blossoms from the first round have all flourished and went the fertiliser way. And how there is another round of buds appearing and the first 5 have blossomed already.
however, since 2 weeks ago, the upper leaves have been turning yellow. and dropping. I wonder why, since it is exposed to adequate sunlight since it sits on the outside corridor.
I don't think it's a lack of water since I water it every two days as advised by the gardener who sold it to me. And the leaves nearer the bottom of the pot are flourishing and a good healthy green. It's just that three or four of the upper leaves tend to turn yellow daily and fall off.
I was just joking that at this rate I'm going to get a bald plant with no leaves just flowers. Bizzare! anyone encountered a similar situation before? Any ideas?
2 people like this
6 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
•
28 Feb 08
There could be a couple of reasons why these yellow leaves appeared. Did you move it recently into the outside hallway, because the stress of the move or the stress of replanting might cause the leaves to yellow. Many plants do this, especially when moved indoors in the winter and back outdoors in the spring.
I feel also that you may have given it too much water. The Desert Rose is a succulent plant and needs only to be watered once a month in the winter and about once a week or two weeks in the summer, rather than every other day. Its container needs to be ell drained, too, as sitting in water could rot the roots. You seem to have your plant in a good position as it won't tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees farenheit. Also, being a succulent plant, caterpillars tend to like its leaves, but nurture it for a while, and it will come back and the leaves flourish, as well as the blossoms.
Brightest Blessings.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
29 Feb 08
I live in the tropics, 1 degree north of the equator so no winter for us. plant has been in the outside corridor since i bought it more than a month ago. :) thanks for responding.
@jerrytian21 (56)
• China
28 Feb 08
a desert rose seems not need so much water or the age for the leaves is over.i don't know,maybe if you send to me the rose i can find out the problem.just joking.but at least you have rose
2 people like this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
28 Feb 08
thanks I'm going to water it once a week from now! saves me the trouble too!
1 person likes this
@ngty69 (971)
• India
27 Feb 08
Well every living thing gets old in its life. Nothing is permanent. So don't get worried. Every old thing has to leave in order to get the new one. So those yellow leaves will fall and give rise for the new leaves to grow. Always be positive in life and see how you will get out of difficult situations.
Thanks for reading my response.
Goodbye
2 people like this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
27 Feb 08
I believe you are over watering the plant. This is a succulent which is similiar to cactus and does not need to be watered that frequently.
It also depends on temperature...you mentioned it sits on the outside corridor. Is it hot?..cold?..regular temperature all the time?...it would depend on how much water is needed by the plant and sometimes it takes that long to show the plant is in stress. Sitting in water will rot the roots. You may want to pick up a watering gauge that you stick into the plant soil, and it will show you if the plant is wet or dry. They help quite a bit with plants like these. Good Luck to you, I really hope it thrives as they are very pretty plants.
2 people like this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
28 Feb 08
i live in the tropics so the temperature is between 23-31 degrees celcius all the time....
overwatering makes leaves yellow! oh dear! thanks for the detailed response and suggestions!
1 person likes this
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
27 Feb 08
Can you add a picture of the plant?...I'm thinking of the Desert Rose that is a succulent and I certainly do not want to give you wrong information....thanks.
2 people like this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
27 Feb 08
I'm not familiar with the desert rose but leaves turning yellow and dropping can be various things.
Under/over watering, altho you were advised to water every two days a lot depends on the temperature as the warmer it is, the quicker the plant dries out, also draughts and changes in temperature can cause this.
Lastly are there any signs of infestation as that could be another cause as can over/under feeding. Sorry there are a lot of reasons but it's difficult without seeing the plant to be sure of the cause.
1 person likes this
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
28 Feb 08
i don't think it's infestation - don't see any bugs or creepie crawlies around... thanks! shall try to post a picture soon.
1 person likes this
