What to Do About Scorched Plants - Ask Extension
With this crazy heat that has been going on for weeks and weeks many of my plants now have scorched leaves. The base of the plants still look healthy...
Knowledgebase
What to Do About Scorched Plants #877883
Asked July 19, 2024, 7:42 AM EDT
With this crazy heat that has been going on for weeks and weeks many of my plants now have scorched leaves. The base of the plants still look healthy. My question is should I leave the scorched leaves or prune them? -- thanks!
Frederick County Maryland
Expert Response
We wouldn't prune right now. The high heat and lack of rain are stressful on all of our plants, and pruning, fertilizing, or spraying them with anything but water is best avoided.
You could pinch off browned leaves but they will likely fall by themselves eventually and if the stems and roots are healthy, new leaves may push out once temps moderate and they get more rain or supplemental water from you.
Newly planted trees and shrubs are most likely to survive, and even established, high-value trees that you see wilting will do better if you can water them.
This page will tell you how to best do that:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs/
Christine
You could pinch off browned leaves but they will likely fall by themselves eventually and if the stems and roots are healthy, new leaves may push out once temps moderate and they get more rain or supplemental water from you.
Newly planted trees and shrubs are most likely to survive, and even established, high-value trees that you see wilting will do better if you can water them.
This page will tell you how to best do that:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/watering-trees-and-shrubs/
Christine
