Lemon Balm Ailment?

9 years ago

http://witchydigit.tumblr.com/post/103051437770/some-pics-of-my-lemon-balm-i-cant-figure-out
Above links to a photoset of my plant.

Background: Plant has been outside all year until recently. I'm not sure if it had this problem while outside, as I neglected it quite a bit. The potting soil is two years old, I was going to wait for spring to change it, currently fertilize every few weeks with fish fertilizer (stuff smells nasty). There are a few bugs that were carried in on the plant, some roly polys and some very small flying things that mostly stay around the plants. I have no idea how to get rid of them or what they are.

The larger brownish spots are thinner than the rest of the leaf and kind of crispy, and I tried to get a good picture of the dark brown/purple spots, but I'm afraid the pictures are a bit blurry. The spots are more visible on the undersides than on the tops of the leaves. I've tried google searching various ailments, but nothing turned up anything that really looked like what I see. Any help would be appreciated in identifying the cause of the odd spots, and any insight into whether it will affect the usability of the leaves.

Suggestions on whether I should continue fertilizing through the winter would be helpful as well, as it's my first time caring for plants indoors.

Comments (3)

fatamorgana2121
9 years ago
I have never ever fertilized lemon balm. It grows happily in my most terrible and spent garden beds. As a rule, most herbs don't require any fertilizer.

Bugs? Not all bugs are bad. If your plants aren't getting chewed to bits or damaged by the bugs, then consider the bugs benign and not something that requires killing.

Purple? Lemon balm turns purple when stressed by cold. Getting cold where you are? Got any snow yet? It's been snowing here in Western NY and even got down in the teens F. I didn't get much snow but 2 hours from here got 7 feet (no joke). Cold temperatures is a good probable cause for purple coloring and leaf die off.

FataMorgana
Witchydigit
Original Author
9 years ago
The only reason I've been fertilizing is because there are two plants in a rather small pot with potting soil that's going on its second year. I'll try cuting back on the fertilizing though, and be assured, if they were in the ground, I would let a mulch give them all the fertilization they needed.

It could be the cold. I've brought them inside so they aren't freezing, but my room seems unable to retain heat. The vents are open and blowing, but no warmth, and the plants are right next to the window, so even worse! Just one more thing to put on the "pro" list of getting a space heater, I guess.

Would the cold also make some of the leaves turn tissue-paper thin, slightly brown, and crunchy in spots? Either way, I'll try getting the temperature up a bit and see if that helps, thanks!
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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
Lemon Balm is a tough hardy perennial. It is meant to die down at the end of the year and go dormant in winter. It is not suited to growing indoors. I don't think your plant has either pests or diseases. I just think it is physiological change due to the season and the inadequate conditions. It looks etiolated and I suspect that is due to insufficient light indoors. If you want to try to keep it alive inside it needs a huge amount of light. It will not need much heat. If it's comfortable for you it is probably too hot for Lemon Balm.