Potted plant care PLEASE help!?

Question

I have a variety of potted plants on my porch, the thing is they all look a little bleak.  Some of them are yellowing slightly or look bright green and don't seem to be growing much.  I have some lobelia, alyssum, merigolds and others. I live in an apt complex and only get indirect sunlight all day where my porch is. The plants seemed to be doing fine at first and I can't tell if they are just going through a regrowth cycle, but I spent a lot of money on them so I don't want them to die.  What could the problem be? am I possibly overwatering? What is a good rule for watering?

Thanks!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I think you're fine with the watering, but your plants are all summer annuals which do all their growing and flowering in a comparatively short time.As a result they need regular feeding with a fertilizer such as Miracle Grow to keep them flowering all through the summer months.

Anonymous · Answer

You may indeed be overwatering ... let the surface of the dirt dry before you water.

Your plants may also need more sun than they're getting.  I've had lobelia do OK in partial shade, but alyssum prefers full sun and marigolds DEMAND it ... they just will not thrive in shade.  You didn't mention what your other flowers are ... it is possible that they are sun-lovers as well.

You can encourage growth with Miracle Gro (or other plant food), either the powder that you mix with water or sticks that you can insert directly into the potting soil.

Molly · Answer

What you describe could very well be the result of over-watering.
Spend a little more money and get a ceramic waterer for each plant. They have an extension that is pushed into the soil and allows the plant to draw the water it needs rather than have too much.
They can be bought at Lowe's or maybe Wal-mart.

? · Answer

Try to get the olive oil off. It has clogged the plnt so it can't breath. I use a Pledge Grab-It to dust my plants' leaves.

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Potted plant care PLEASE help!?

4 Answers