Diagnosing Problems

WATERING PROBLEMS

• Overwatering – brown or black spots on leaves; stems look mushy; plant is wilted though soil feels wet
• Underwatering – soil feels dry; plant is wilted

 INSECTS

• Holes in leaves; chewed leaves; webs; distorted leaves; pin-sized holes in the stem; backs of leaves look silvery with tiny black spots; leaves look rusty

 FERTILIZER

• Too little – stunted yellow growth
• Too much – leaves have brown, damaged – looking edges; leaves may turn black; a slight excess can cause rich lush growth ( usually with NO flowering) which can suffer damage at onset of cold weather 

MICROORGANISMS

• White powdery substance on the leaves; browning and spotting of the leaves

 OTHER

• Animals – bark stripped off trees and shrubs; if top of plant dies for no apparent reason, roots may have been eaten by grubs or gophers
• Tree graft – union may not be compatible, though the tree has appeared to thrive for several years – tree goes into unexplainable decline 

These are just a few of the things which can damage otherwise healthy plants.  Hopefully these general guidelines will head you in the right direction to alleviate the problem, and prevent future ones!