Expert: C.L. Fornari - 5/31/2010

Question
I have several large pots of a spike surrounded by 3 geraniums and two bacopa plants for contrast.  The spikes and geraniums are thriving but the bacopa looks like "rags"...equal parts dead and alive. I used miracle grow potting soil and watered thoroughly to get them started.  I watch and tend them daily.  They are in full New York sun for about 6 1/2 hours per day.  What can I do to revive them?  Should I replace them with a similar plant?  Help!

Answer
Barbara,
Hmmmm - hard to say why the Bacopa isn't doing well. Have you had very hot weather? In my experience, this plant doesn't thrive in the heat. I've seen it look wonderful early in the season but stop flowering later when it gets hot. This wouldn't explain the "equal parts dead and alive" that you see, however.

Is it possible that the plants dried out after you watered them? The geraniums and spikes can take drying in between watering, but Sutera (aka Bacopa) doesn't do well if it dries between waterings.

At this point, if you think that you want to try and save them, clip off all the dead looking foliage and cut the living foliage back by 1/3.  Then keep it evenly moist but not constantly wet, which would cause the geraniums to rot. In other words, don't let the Bacopa dry out.  You might also give it an application of liquid fertilizer about two hours after you've watered the container. (Never fertilize a thirsty plant!)

If you want to plant something else in these containers, and want a trailing plant that has white flowers, you might consider either white scaevola or 'Snow Princess' alyssum.  

I hope this helps,
C.L.