Aboutnick mccann Expertise I can give concise answers on growing plants in containers instead of the ground, why and how to plant them and how to maintain them.
Experience Master Gardner in Charlotte County Florida,,with 10 years experience.
Organizations Master Gardner Association of Charlotte County, Florida
Education/Credentials Associates Degree
Past/Present Clients I am currently also an expert in the Tropical Plant dept.
Question I recently potted (clay pot with potting soil) a Madagascar Jasmine vine and it is on my patio with partial sun - it seemed very happy until a few days ago when I noticed yellowing leaves and a few leaves with round purple spots that have dark centers. A friend suggested I might be over-watering it so I have cut way back on watering....any suggestions about how to keep this nice plant healthy? thanks for any help/suggestions!
Answer Hi Susan, from what you describe, it sounds like it could indeed be too much water, but in a clay pot, it is unusual for water to be retained on the roots (because of the porous nature of the clay...); the spots sound like a fungal condition brought on by night moisture on the leaves. When a plant goes into the night with wet leaves, fungal spores use the droplets of water to develop, albeit it is difficult to prevent this from common occurrences, like rain and dew, you can help by not watering after late afternoon. Hopefully you lined the bottom of your container with some drainage medium, so any excess water can collect there instead of the roots. Spray it down with a fungicide, like "Daconil" or "funginex", this will help abate the fungal spores from developing. Nick
