In my experience, the dry, crunchy leaves are caused by the sun. Perhaps your plants are getting too much sun, or the sun theyÂre receiving is too intense (e.g., late afternoon sun).

As for the buds that dry out before opening: Although this happens to me too, IÂm not sure of the exact cause. My reigning theory, however, is that the plant forms more buds than it can actually support; thus, it aborts any it canÂt sustain. Of course, itÂs always disappointing to lose potential blooms, but IÂd rather the plant drop a few than sacrifice its overall health by diverting extra nutrients to those buds.

Hi! I am no expert on these plants; but I found one at Lowes which was in bad shape. It was only $1.00 so what could I lose. I brought it home and babied it for a while and it did wonderfully in bouncing back. I did find however ;the location I had it in was not a good one once it began to get hotter in the season. I finally had to cut it back b/c it began to do just what you have described. I see new growth on it now; but relocated it to hang on a branch in a dogwood tree so it doesnt get the hot sun it was getting as it warmed up. Hope yours improve. I am still playing around to see exactly what conditions it prefers. When it was flourishing it got partial sun and shade during the day; but as I said when the sun began to get hotter in late June and early July it began to not do so well there. I have buds on it now. If it does well again the lovely blooms are worth the effort!