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Phlox going yellow

runnacles1runnacles1 Posts: 4
in Problem solving
I have a number of phlox, grown from bare roots in pots, all of them are turning yellow, with bottom leaves dying off. Can anyone help identify if this a nutrient deficiency or disease. Thankyou


Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    When they were potted up there would have been enough nutrients in the fresh compost for about 4-6 weeks. If it's been longer than that they may just need a drop of general purpose plant feed.
    If that's not the case, then it's either too much or too little water probably.

    Mine in the garden are showing similar signs at the base of the plants, but they always seem to lose some lower leaves, mainly due to drought this year.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • runnacles1runnacles1 Posts: 4
    Thanks for the reply,  I potted them in the autumn and have given them a feed this spring, the fact they are all showing the same symptoms I was a little worried about a virus, did'nt want to move them into front garden with my healthy phlox if there were any diseases I should be worrying about. Pot gardening is never easy when it comes to water, been giving them a little water every day while it's been hot and pots were light, then had a storm with sudden downpours and they are soaked, will hold back on water and see if they improve. Thanks again
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I don't think they have any sort of virus - they'd be much happier in the ground.
    Of course if they're staying in pots you can just try and do your best for them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Have you got a lot of them in a single pot?
    If you can't plant them out, they'll need pots of their own and then a suitable soil mix and some food to keep them happy, especially if they have to stay in pots permanently.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • runnacles1runnacles1 Posts: 4
    Hi, all in individual 7" inch pots at the moment. Front garden is surrounded by a very mature privet hedge on 2 sides and neighbour has a number of trees on the third, I tried planting but perennials never really thrived hence I moved to pots. I've got one potted phlox which has done great for 3 years now and I love the scent so I purchased some bare roots in the autumn. They don't need potting on yet but I'll try feeding. Good news if its not disease, rather just tlc that is needed. Thanks for your help.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    If you have lots of plants in pots, the best fertilizer to use is Seaweed Extract.
    It contains all the micronutrients that you plant would usually get from being planted in the ground (that are produced by soil fungi and bacteria) but are likely missing if planted in pots.
    Use it about once every 2 weeks and you'll see a big improvement in plant health after a month or so.
    It doesn't contain lots of the usual ingredients in fertilizers, so you could use a general purpose fertilizer once every couple of weeks to supplement the seaweed.
    So week 1 use seaweed, week 2 use gp fertilizer at 1/2 strength.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • runnacles1runnacles1 Posts: 4
    Thanks very much for that advice, feed is something I often ponder about when it comes to periennials in pots, I'm happy feeding the annuals and baskets with the general purpose but thought maybe perennials may need something extra .
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    runnacles1 said:
     maybe perennials may need something extra .
    That's where the seaweed extract will help a lot

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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