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 Hi, My yellow Jasmine is dying slowly . I have lost 2 vine plants so far and 2 more are exhibiting symptoms. The symptoms are that browning leaves in the middle of the foliage and then a week or 2 later the whole branch of that vine is dead and this continues over a 3 week period until the whole plant is dead. I took a sample to the garden center and they helped NONE . they couldn't see any pests and no advice after that.
Any Idea what is killing them slowly ????
Mike Vabeach, VA
Thank You
Answer Dear Michael,
I have a useless garden centre close to me too! I asked the staff very simple questions, ones to which I already knew the answers just to test them, but they had no idea. Staff like that should not be selling plants when they have no interest and no knowledge. And as for the cashiers - when the plants have no name on the pot they have no idea what they are - I could tell them anything they would be none the wiser. Perhaps one day I will buy a big plant and give them the name of a tiny plant and see if I can get it for a good price!!!!
I have only tried growing one jasmine in my life and I didn't have much success either but I did rather neglect it, I have to confess.
They do like plenty of light and the compost should never be allowed to dry out. Some sunshine is beneficial but not hot midday summer sun. It's a good idea to mist the leaves frequently as they enjoy the humidity.
With mine I cut it right back to within a couple of inches of its life - well it wasn't very big to start off with, and then lovely new foliage appeared after a while. It is now growing round a hoop in its pot - no flowers as yet but it is early days. I feed it once every two weeks during the spring and summer.
So, in a nutshell, keep the compost moist, mist frequently, light and fresh air necessary, feed evey other week and hopefully you may be able to save it.
