Plants always take care of us by providing fresh air, oxygen, fruits, and more. When it’s our turn, we either overdo everything or rarely do anything, which badly affects them.
It might seem that growing a plant is the easiest job in the world, but it’s not. Even a tad bit of extra water can harm the plants and kill them.
You need to give them proper sunlight, water, and the appropriate amount of fertilizer. Protection from pests and other fungal diseases is also important.
Plants are very much like newborn babies that require extra care and love to grow beautifully and survive in any condition. 3. 4.
Dying Plant Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a dying plant? It might be the most challenging question to answer as the plant may look good but might be dying inside.
Though plants can’t talk or show us vital signs of their struggle, they do have their way of telling us that they are dying. We need to listen, or in this case, see them correctly. Here are some of the significant symptoms that will help you protect your baby plant before it dies.
1. Wilting/ Drooping Leaves:
Wilting leaves are the first sign that your plant is going to die. It can happen due to two reasons: fungal infection or less water. You need to check the soil to know whether the plant needs water or not. If it’s dry, then your plant is thirsty and needs more water. However, if the soil is still wet, it can cause fungal infection or root rot.
2. Plant Not Intaking Water:
If your plant is not taking the water you are providing, it can be a severe issue. It usually happens when the plant becomes root bound, or the soil mixture becomes hydrophobic.
Check the roots to see if there are any knots in them and if you find any, then it’s time to move the plant to a bigger pot. If there is no root bound, then the soil is hydrophobic, which might happen due to excess sand in the mixture. In this case, you have to change the soil mixture.1.
3. Yellow Leaves:
Yellow leaves are the signs of aging and are pretty standard for growing plants. But, if the baby leaves turn yellow, it’s time to move the pot to a much shadier area.
It can either happen due to excess sunlight or a lack of fertilizer. Try adding more fertilizer and if there’s still no change, check the roots for any infection.
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4. Burnt Spots:
Excessive sunlight can create burnt spots on the leaves. If you do not move the plant to a shadier place, it can die due to burns. Try keeping the plant under indirect sunlight and slowly exposing it to direct sunlight when it starts to recover.
5. Crisping/ Browning Leaves:
Crisping or browning leaves are usually due to a lack of water. Browning starts from the tip of the leaves and slowly dries out the whole plant.
Even after watering it regularly, if the problem doesn’t go away, it is time to use less fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can also turn the leaves brown.
Moreover, there are even cases of water with high content of Sodium or Potassium that can cause the leaves to turn brown. 1.
6. Scabs:
Scabs are black or yellow spots that appear on the leaves of the plants. These spots are the sign that the plant is suffering from a fungal infection.
If you see such spots, remove the infected leaves to spread and kill the whole plant. To avoid such infections, place light stones on the potting mix and ensure that the plants get sufficient fresh air.
7. Root Problems:
The roots need proper care else the whole plant will die immediately. Moreover, roots can quickly tell the condition of the plant.
For example, if the roots are dry, the plant is not getting enough water; if they are mushy or smelly, it’s a sign of infection or excess water. If you find the roots coming out of the pot, it is time to shift the plant to a bigger pot. 2.
8. Pest Infestation:
How can you know if your plant has pests? When you see some mysterious dust on the leaves, it’s a sign of pests infestation.
Usually, you can find black or white dust on the plants. In such cases, it is better to separate the plant from others and treat it with pesticide and take proper care of it.
9. Dropping Leaves:
Though it is pretty standard for leaves to fall, if the number is alarmingly high, it could signify that the plant is suffering from cold. It could happen if you give the excess amount of water to the plant. It would help if you moved the pot to a warmer area for a couple of days in such cases. 3.
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How Do You Know If Plants Are Dying?
If you are a plant parent, you must know how difficult it is to watch those precious plants die. Even after taking proper care, providing good fertilizer, sunlight, and water, there are cases where plants die. Why? There are various reasons as to why this must be happening.
But, how can you know if your plants are dying? They might be looking healthy, but there is no growth, no new leaves, or anything that shows improvement. In such cases, you need to inspect your plants properly.
Plants can die if they suffer from any infection or don’t get sufficient nutrients. Your plant might be looking good one day, and the other day it’s lying dead on the ground. To know whether your plant is dying or not, you need to check its roots.
The roots of the plants will tell you everything that you need to know. Roots are the heart of the plant, and it is essential to check on them regularly. While trimming them, changing their fertilizer, shifting them from one pot to another, inspect the plants’ roots. 3.
If the roots are dry or are turning brown, then it means that the plant is not getting enough water. But, if it appears all mushy and soft, then it means that you are adding extra water to the plant.
Besides, if the roots are tied in knots or have root bound, it depicts that the plant needs more space to grow, and it’s time to change its home.
It would help if you inspected the leaves too. Clean your leaves with a damp cloth as it will keep them fresh. If the plant is from a rainforest, you must spray the leaves regularly throughout the day. 2.
How Can You Save Your Dying Plants?
Plants can die due to various reasons like overwatering, not enough sunlight, pests, and more. But, how can you save a plant that is already on the path of death? Here are some tips that would help you revive those baby plants.
Re-planting The Roots:
If you find that the stems of the plants are already dead, but the roots still have life in them, then it’s a chance to re-grow your plant.
Cut out the stems and start planting the roots in a new pot. Make sure to give it good sunlight and only water it when the soil is arid. In a few days, you would be able to see new stems sprouting from the roots. 2.
Sufficient Sunlight:
In most cases, plants die due to insufficient sunlight. It happens because the location of the plant is not correct.
You can find this standard in indoor plants as they are not exposed to direct sunlight and are in shady areas. If you have indoor plants, then make it a habit to move them to the balcony for sunlight. 3. 4.
Keep Your Plants Clean:
Dirt can also kill your plants. Even though you give them all the nutrients, they can die if you do not clean them regularly.
Remove the dead leaves, wipe them with a damp cloth, and check them for any infections. A clean plant is a healthy plant that can live for many years.
Purified Air:
If you have indoor plants that do not show any sign of growth or have a slow growth rate, it could be due to contaminated air. The quality of air is also a reason why plants can have slow growth.
How can you solve that? By cleaning the room regularly and using an air purifier to remove the pollutants from the air. If you keep them near the window, try to relocate them as the smoke and dirt from the outside can also reduce their growth. 3. 4.
Conclusion
Plants are the reason why all humans and animals can live properly. We must take proper care of our green friends and maintain the beauty of nature.
If you have a garden or keep indoor plants, you need to take care of them properly; otherwise, they will die. New plants are the most difficult to look after.
They need proper fertilizer, enough water, and sunlight. The amount of each thing should be according to the growth of the plant. If we overdo anything, then it might kill them. Treat your plants like you treat a baby, with utmost care and protection. 5.
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