About Diana Hamilton Expertise I can answer questions related to flowering and non-flowering house plants, and herbs. I do not know very much about cactus, orchids and bonsai
Experience For 20 years I owned a florist where I sold cut flowers and all types of house plants and accessories and gave advice to my customers.
Publications I have not had any writings published but I have presented gardening programmes on television, showing viewers how to care for their plants, giving them ideas on suitable plants, discussed problems with experts in different fields and given practical demonstrations on growing seeds, planting tubs and hanging baskets, watering, feeding, pruning etc.
Education/Credentials I am completely self-taught
Awards and Honors I have exhibited plants and flower arrangements in many Flower Shows winning many prizes.
Question I have a wondering jew that I bought very full and beautiful, over time it started wilting and and shedding leaves. I don't think I was watering it enough but I started taking care of it plucked the dead leaves off and it came back to life, and grew very well. Now the leaves are turning yellow and am not sure why?
Answer Dear Crystal,
Wandering Jew from the Tradescantia family is normally a very easy plant to grow and to propagate. Here in Southern Spain where it is warm for many months of the year all we have to do is break off a piece and plant it directly into the soil without having to bother about rooting powder.
Tell me, are ALL the leaves turning yellow? How often are you watering and fertilising it? What situation is it in - indoors, outdoors, shade, light, sun?
If it is a variegated variety, as most of them are, then it needs plenty of light as otherwise the leaves will revert to green. It needs plenty of water from Spring through to the Autumn and to be fed every two weeks. Some varieties do like some direct sunlight so if you can send me the botanical name and/or describe the colour of the leaves, I can be more specific about this. The plants should be misted regularly to keep the surrounding air cool.
I would cut off all the stems which have lots of yellow leaves even if it means cutting the plant right back - with luck it will grow again and in a much bushier shape too.
