Why are the leaves on my Stephanotis turning yellow?
- Introduction
- Causes of Yellowing Leaves on Stephanotis
- Poor Watering Practices
- Temperature Extremes and Cold Draughts
- Poor Soil Quality
- Insect Infestations
- Fungal Diseases
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Over-Fertilizing
- Pruning and Transplant Shock
- Conclusion
Why are the Leaves on My Stephanotis Turning Yellow?
Stephanotis is a beautiful, fragrant flower that adds a special touch to any garden or home setting; however, it can be disheartening to see the leaves turning yellow instead of a vibrant green colour that they should be. Fortunately, there are a number of causes for yellowing leaves on Stephanotis, which can be rectified with some simple gardening practices and attentive care!
Causes of Yellowing Leaves on Stephanotis
There are several reasons why the leaves on your Stephanotis may be turning yellow, some of which are outlined below:
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Poor Watering Practices: Stephanotis grows best when the compost is constantly moist (but not wet). If your soil is either too dry or too wet, this can cause the leaves to turn yellow due to lack of oxygen reaching the roots or root rot from water-logging.
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Temperature Extremes and Cold Draughts: Sudden changes in temperature and cold draughts can also cause leaf drop in Stephanotis plants as they do not tolerate cold temperatures well; keeping them near open windows or outdoors in cold nights can lead to yellowing leaves as well as stunted growth and flower production.
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Poor Soil Quality: If the soil quality is poor, it will not provide enough nutrients for your Stephanotis resulting in yellow leaves due to nutrient deficiencies; this can also occur if the soil is too alkaline or acidic for your plant’s needs so it’s important to check with a pH tester before planting your Stephanotis!
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Insect Infestations: One common cause for yellowing leaves on Stephanotis plants is insect infestations such as aphids or mealybugs, which feed on the plant’s sap and prevent it from getting enough nutrients; these pests can be eliminated using an insecticidal soap spray or neem oil solution applied directly to the affected areas of the plant.
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Fungal Diseases: Fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or downy mildew can also cause yellowing leaves; this is usually due to overwatering or poor air circulation around the plant so it’s important to ensure that you are watering correctly and providing adequate ventilation!
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Nutrient Deficiencies: The most common nutrient deficiency in Stephanotises is iron deficiency, which causes yellow-green foliage as well as stunted growth; this can be rectified by applying an iron chelate fertilizer specifically designed for acid-loving plants such as Stephanotises once every two weeks during growing season (spring/summer).
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Over-Fertilizing: Too much fertilizer can also lead to yellowing leaves; when fertilizing your plant, always use half of what is recommended on the packaging and apply only once per month during growing season (spring/summer).
8 . Pruning and Transplant Shock: If you have recently pruned or transplanted your Stephanotises, it may take a few weeks for them to adapt to their new environment causing temporary leaf drop; however, if they do not recover after several weeks then there may be another underlying issue causing the yellowing leaves such as nutrient deficiencies or insect infestations (as outlined above).
Conclusion
Yellowing leaves on your Stephanotises doesn’t have to be something you dread seeing every time you look out at your garden – with some simple gardening practices and attentive care you can revive them back into their vibrant green colour! Common causes include poor watering practices, temperature extremes/cold draughts, poor soil quality, insect infestations, fungal diseases, nutrient deficiencies, over-fertilizing and transplant shock – all of which can be rectified with some simple gardening practices!