[Arid_gardener] Gardenia problem

[Tyler Storey]

Hi Robert,

Looking at the photos, it appears Brandi is correct, and what you have is
severe iron chlorosis, very common on gardenias grown in this area.  Your
best bet is to buy some chelated iron, or iron sulfate, and treat the plant
according to the directions on the label.  You want to treat it soon, as it
does look pretty bad.  While I can't say for certain, my gut tells me that
your spotting problem will lessen or go away once you correct the chlorosis.
Do be certain to follow the label directions - as is the case with all
chemical treatments, more is not necessarily better or faster.

 

I hope this helps,

Tyler

 

 <mailto:tyler at tylerstorey.com> tyler at tylerstorey.com

 <http://tylerstorey.com> http://tylerstorey.com

602-738-2978

  _____  

From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Robert and Bab
Smith
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 3:44 PM
To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Fw: Gardenia problem

 

Can you help us with this Gardenia problem?

 

Thanks, Robert Smith

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Brandi Eide <mailto:beide at dbg.org>  

To: Robert and Bab Smith <mailto:robabs at cox.net>  

Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 1:52 PM

Subject: RE: Gardenia problem

 

Hello Robert,

>From what I can tell in the pictures, the spots appear to be either caused
by an insect or fungus perhaps, I am unable to zoom in on them enough to
give you more information, if you bring a leaf or two into a local nursery
perhaps they can give you more information after seeing them in person.
Also, I recommend you resend your original email with photos to the
following address arid_gardener at cals.arizona.edu to see if they have seen
this spotting problem before on gardenias, and are able to i.d. it by photo
alone.

 

As far as the bleaching of your leaves goes, the interveinal chlorosis
(where the veins stay green and the rest loses color) can be caused by a
lack of Iron, Zinc or Manganese.  All of these are immobile in the plant and
so the problem manifests itself on new leaves.  If the plant is overwatered,
and the soil is staying wet, iron is unavailable to the plant, (and the
moisture may be inviting fungal attack.)  I recommend either replacing the
plant with something that is much less maintenance and  more tolerant of our
desert conditions, or else really re-evaluate your watering, allow the soil
to dry a bit between watering-the soil should stay moist at root level, not
wet, perhaps mulch to retain moisture instead of watering more frequently,
and also fertilize with a fertilizer containing the micronutrients missing.

 

Good luck!

Brandi Eide

 

From: Robert and Bab Smith [mailto:robabs at cox.net] 
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2008 12:17 PM
To: Brandi Eide
Subject: Gardenia problem

 

Brandi, I visited with the lady on the hotline this morning about this
Gardenia in the front of our home.  It has bloomed every Spring since we
built this home in 2002.  It is in shade and never has sun.  These blotches
on the leaves are getting worse instead of better.  Can you offer some
information on how to heal these 2 plants.  These plants are on our drip
system.

 

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

 

Should you want to call, our telephone number is 623-551-1321

 

Robert Smith

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