Passion flower suddenly dies: what to do?

That the Passion flower getting some yellow leaves in autumn or winter is perfectly normal. These can easily be removed. Will the exotic Passiflora but suddenly completely withered, there is more to it. In this case, however, panic is usually not appropriate, because there are usually behind the limp leaves no dangerous illnesses, but care mistakes that can be remedied with a dose of care.

Passionflower suddenly dies

Sometimes you buy plants without knowing exactly how to properly care for them. If they should develop well and possibly bloom vigorously, the question of the perfect location arises. Knowing how often to water and fertilize is equally important. For this reason, it happens from time to time that the otherwise robust passion flower gets withered leaves and sheds the flowers. If the exotic climbing plant suddenly dies, the question arises as to what causes are possible and what to do.

causes

If you notice that your Passiflora is starting to weaken, it requires your intervention. The sooner you find out the cause and take action against the problem, the greater the chance of revitalizing the ailing plant. However, many hobby gardeners are quite helpless when faced with this problem and wonder what to do. First of all, you have to stay calm. Since the causes of the withered leaves can be varied, it is best to proceed systematically. For this, subject the entire plant and also the external influences to a detailed examination.

dryness

In relation to their lush foliage, passion flower plants have only a very sparsely developed root system. For this reason, the plants are very sensitive to both waterlogging and drought. If a passion flower suddenly dies, in the vast majority of cases this is due to poor watering behavior. The passion flower needs a lot of water, especially during flowering. In the event of a lack of water or intense heat, the flowers dry up prematurely and the leaves first turn yellow and withered, later they dry up and fall off.

measures

To check whether the root ball has dried out, it is not enough to just take a look inside the pot. Often the soil is only dried on the surface and the bale is already half a centimeter below this dry layer. Therefore, press your thumb or forefinger a little deeper into the earth. If the entire substrate is completely dry, the passiflora simply lacks water. This can be remedied by a short immersion bath until no more air bubbles rise. Then let the pot drain well so that it does not become waterlogged.

Note: Use rainwater or tap water with little lime when watering passion flowers, as most species are sensitive to high levels of lime.

Waterlogging

If passion flowers are left in the water for a long time, the roots can rot and die off. Therefore, first look into the planter. Has water built up here? Do the water and root ball already smell putrid? If so, it is usually not enough to simply let the passion flower stand dry for a few days. Fungi can penetrate the plant through the dead roots and the passion flower inevitably dies.

proceed

Remove as much of the substrate as possible. If the entire bale is rotten, repotting will no longer have any effect. If it only partially dies, cut off the affected shoots with a clean knife or scissors. Then plant the passion flower in a new, clean pot with fresh, well-drained substrate. Don't forget to create a drainage layer made of clay granules right away. It is best to put a few pebbles in the planter so that the water can drain better from the ball in the future.

Heat damage

For some problems that occur with passion flower, the direct cause can no longer be identified once the damage occurs. This is especially the case with short-term high or low temperatures. On particularly hot or windy days, the young shoots of passion flowers, which the summer on the balcony or terrace are not supplied with water via the roots to the same extent as the moisture via the leaves at the same time evaporates. This is also possible if the soil in the pot is actually sufficiently moist. In this case, however, usually only the younger shoots let the leaves hang and wilt. If the leaves turn silvery, it is sunburn.

measures

In most cases, the dead shoots can no longer be saved. Be sure to place the plant in a sheltered location so that the problem no longer occurs in the future:

• South window: provide for light shade in the midday hours
• alternatively place on east or west window
• Balcony: protection from the blazing midday sun
• alternatively shade the root area

Cold damage

Whether a passion flower hardy depends mainly on the type and location. The natural range of around 500 species of Passiflora stretches from warm South and Central America to cooler North America. Most species come from the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are not hardy here.

measures

Once individual shoots have frozen to death, they cannot be reanimated and die. Just wait a few days and cut out the dry areas generously.

• Make sure to put balcony plants in their winter quarters in good time
• depending on the species between 5 ° C and 15 ° C
• always as bright as possible
• Check apartment for drafts (tilted window, drafty hallway)
• Change location

If the entire Passiflora dies, only the radical method will help. Cut off all shoots up to about ten centimeters above the ground and overwinter the plant in a cool but frost-free place. Next spring it will show whether the passionflower has survived the cold shock and sprouts again. Do not forget to check the substrate from time to time and, if necessary, water it cautiously.

Lack of light

To a certain extent, it is perfectly normal for passion flowers to drop a few leaves in their winter quarters. However, if the foliage turns yellow over a large area, the following causes are possible:

• cold air
• a place directly above the heater
• too little light

remedy

Passion flowers also need a lot of light in the winter months, but best in combination with a cool, frost-free area. The plant will not survive a dark or too cold winter and will die. In an emergency, a special plant lamp provides more light.

Incorrect amounts of nutrients

Both too low and too high nutrient levels in the substrate have a significant impact on the health of the passion flower. The climbing plant is one of the heavy eaters that should be fertilized regularly in spring and summer. Fertilizing is completely stopped during the winter months. If you water with calcareous tap water, this increases the pH value in the substrate, so that the plant can no longer absorb iron and chlorosis occurs. This can be recognized by the pale leaves with dark veins.

proceed

Relatively old and large plants that also grow in a cramped planter should preferably be fertilized once a week to ensure a safe supply. However, always stick to the recommended dose on the packaging for the quantities. Iron chelates provide the plant with the important trace element in the short term.

• Repot in a larger saucepan
• Remove as much of the old earth as possible
• use fresh, well-drained substrate

Note: After repotting, you do not have to fertilize for a few weeks, as the plant is optimally supplied with nutrients.

Diseases and pests

Although the exotic climbing plants are quite robust and resistant, diseases or sucking insects can occasionally occur. If you do not act early enough, the plant will perish.

tip: First of all, set up newly purchased passion flowers as a preventive measure, isolated from the other plants, so as not to endanger the entire population.

Lice and mites

The plants are particularly susceptible to infestation in warm or drafty winter quarters Spider mites and aphids. You should therefore examine your plant regularly, especially on the underside of the leaves and the tips of the shoots.

First aid

Cut out all heavily infested parts of the plant and dispose of them in the household rubbish. Then shower the leaves thoroughly. A mixture of water, washing-up liquid and alcohol or neem oil in water is recommended for spraying against the pests. Use a flower sprayer to spray the passion flower for three days in a row (don't forget the underside of the leaves). Then again after one and after two weeks to kill the next generation.

tip: To prevent pest infestation, the climbing star should be sprayed with water more often in winter.

Fungal infections

If the entire passion flower wilts within just a few days and if neither drought nor waterlogging is the cause, then an infection of the vascular bundles with fungi or bacteria is likely. It is now a matter of acting quickly, because if the fungal attack is advanced, the plant can no longer be saved. It is very easy to recognize a fungal attack:

• healthy vascular bundles: spongy and white
• with fungal infection: hollow stems, brown color inside

measures

Cut off all withered shoots generously. To prevent the fungus from penetrating any further, you have to cut into healthy tissue with clean, sterile tools. At the same time, it is necessary to repot the plant, take a closer look at the roots.

• remove putrid roots
• use a new pot (risk of renewed infection)
• alternatively: rinse the old pot with boiling water
• Pot in fresh, well-drained substrate

For the next few weeks it is necessary to place the passion flower in partial shade and protected in order to stimulate new rooting. Please do not fertilize the plant during this time, as high amounts of nutrients inhibit root growth.