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Star Jasmine - Leaves turning yellow and falling off. #723736

Asked September 14, 2020, 12:10 PM EDT

Hello, I have a Star Jasmine plant that is seven years old. I bring it indoors during the winter and bring it out in spring. It blooms every year in July and has been very robust. Last fall, I re-potted it as it had grown substantially. I brought it outside in May, and it again bloomed in July. However, some leaves began turning reddish yellow and falling off. I did a bit of research which suggested the soil was too wet. Indeed there was standing water on the soil and I realized that the pot had no drainage. I drilled holes in the bottom of the pot to drain the soil and the condition persisted. More research suggesting removing a large quantity of the dirt and exposing the root ball to help dry it out. The soil is now dry but leaves continue to change color and fall off. I fear that I allowed the wet soil condition to persist too long and have done irreparable damage. Or, is it possible that a fungus or other anomaly may be effecting the plant. Please let me know your thoughts, and thanks. 

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Star Jasmine are susceptible to fungal root rot if overwatered and that is probably what happened here.

You can try and save it. Remove the plant from the pot and remove all the dirt from the roots. Examine the root ball if you see no viable roots the plant will not recover. Prune out any dead roots and spray the root ball with a fungicide. Repot the Jasmine into new potting soil.

The compromised root ball can no longer support the top growth of the plant so you need to prune it way back so the plant can concentrate on growing new roots rather than supporting limbs and flowers.

Good Luck!
Paul W. U of M Extension Master Gardener Dakota County Replied September 16, 2020, 7:15 AM EDT

<tipping hat> Thank you Paul, I'll give it a try.

Cheers~

The Question Asker Replied September 16, 2020, 7:22 PM EDT

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