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Overwintered Dipladenia #868987

Asked May 18, 2024, 8:59 AM EDT

I overwintered this dipladenia. It was healthy last fall, and survived the indoor transition. Now this spring some of the leaves have yellowed. It started blooming, so I gently hardened it back to outside environment. Now more leaves are turning. - But it is blooming! What might be causing this? What is the remedy? I am anti-pesticide, but willing to fertilize. I like to experiment, so what things should I try? Thanks for your ideas and suggestions.

Chisago County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Patricia,

Your plant looks like it's chlorotic. You need to adjust the water you are using to a lower pH.

https://atlas-scientific.com/blog/how-to-adjust-water-ph-for-plants/#:~:text=Baking%20soda%2C%20also%20known%20as,stir%20until%20it%20dissolves%20completely.

I use about a teaspoon of vinegar per fruit jug bottle of plant water. In the spring the water treatment centers need to add  more bleach to our water systems to kill off bacteria and pathogens which results in our tap water being a little more "bleachy", or high in pH. Plants are unable to take up iron and other nutrients when this happens. The result is yellowing of the leaves and the slow demise of the plant.

Good luck,

Sally Granath

St. Louis County MG

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 21, 2024, 8:25 PM EDT
Thanks. That’s an interesting article. 
But we have unsoftened well water so there’s been no change to the plant    We’ll see if the rain water these last days washes through the soil. Then I’ll give it a spring feeding 


On May 21, 2024, at 7:25 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied May 21, 2024, 8:47 PM EDT

Well that's interesting. It sure looks chlorotic to me. Have you tried giving it some fertilizer ? I still think you need to add a little vinegar to your water. Do you see any signs of sticky residue ? I'm wondering about spider mites. Just to be on the safe side, spray your plant thoroughly with one teaspoon of dish soap in a bottle of water. This can't hurt your plant. Keep me posted .....


Sally Granath

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2024, 9:49 PM EDT

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