Green thumbs needed
 

So I've always thought I had a fairly green thumb. Can your thumb change color? :paranoid:

I'm in an apartment and have potted "houseplants" on my screened patio. Three of them, that I've successfully revived for a friend from near-death, have recently begun suffering from browning at the tips of the leaves, which I trim off maybe once a week. I usually water them twice per week to just dampen the soil, not drown. They were doing fine up until about a month ago. They're not exposed to freezing temperatures and the sunlight remains the same (northern exposure).

I think the waterings are as they should be. The only other thing I can think of is overcrowding. As I cut them down periodically to encourage new growth, the root base may be too large for the pots they're in. Right now, I can't buy new pots, nor do I have the space to do transplants.

I'll be moving this summer and will be able to transplant, if indeed root space is the problem, but any suggestions for how I can keep them healthy until the move? Or any other thoughts as to what might be causing the browning?

One thing that a friend told me years ago that worked - mostly - for this same thing was to leave the water sit in an open container for several days before using it to water the plants. His thinking was that the chlorine concentrations would go down and chlorine is what is causing the tips to turn brown.

I don't know if his theory is correct or not, but after months of following his recommendation, the brown tips stopped. I've been doing that ever since and, although I've had other problems off and on, the brown tips have stopped.

Worth a try, especially if nothing else is working. Also, keep in mind that this time year plants generally don't take well to transplanting (don't forget, I'm in Canada, your mileage may vary). It might be best to wait until early spring, like late March or early April.

Good luck!

Peace,

Pierre

Heard the same thing.

I clean the leaves of all my houseplants at least once a week. I've found it very helpful.

Your plants are probably root bound, take em out, trim about half the roots off & replant with fresh potting soil. They can go back in the same size pots if thats all you have.

Thank you all for the reponses.

I will try this.

I figured since they were outside, they weren't dusty. But I'll try that, too. Can't hurt.

This is what I'm most afraid of. It's a small space, but I think I'm going to have to do this.

I trim the roots & repot all my houseplants about every 2 or 3 years.

could be a nitrogen dificiency

Benign neglect works for me. When the plants look like they're gasping for water, I give them some. They perk right up and look as lush as anything. *shrug*