Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
eclipse3

Droopy crotons! Need help

eclipse3
17 years ago

I just repotted these crotons that had been previously potted with other crotons and draceanas in the same pot (see previous post) Most of them look ok, but a couple of them are VERY droopy. I broke quite a few roots to try to get these plants separated from the draceanas, but I still tried to keep as much as I possibly could. I had already repotted them the day after I got them which was just a week ago, but I had kept all of the plants together to avoid breaking stems and roots. Is this too much stress for these plants, is there anything I can do to make them better? Should I just cut off the droopy tips? On the tallest ones, can I cut back the top 4-5 inches to make it a little fuller and more compact, and if I do, can I root the tip cuttings? I really love crotons, but I previously have not had the best of luck with them. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Image link:

Comments (8)

  • pirate_girl
    17 years ago

    Yes, if I understand your post, repotting them twice in so short a time IS WAY TOO much stress.

    I'd suggest you stop mucking w/ them & leave them alone to allow them to recover.

    If you'd just move homes, changed environments & someone kept changing it again & again & again w/out letting you catch your breath, you probably wouldn't look too good either.

    Pls. give the plants a chance & some TIME, not everything is immediately fixable. There is a certain amount of patience required in growing & caring for plants.

    In the meantime, you could use this time to search around & find out about Croton care & answer some of the rest of your questions. You could search either by its name Croton or its more formal botanical name which is Codaeum.

  • eclipse3
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    The reason I replanted so quickly is because the care for these plants is different and I wanted to separate them so I don't end up killing all of them while trying to find a happy medium. A couple of people suggested that I repot them now so that the roots don't get even more entwined and to prevent problems with the different care that they need. As far as the care goes, I have read a lot about them, I just want to know of personal experience with these plants, cuz it's much better to hear what actually works, not just "bright light- medium water- etc."
    I know it sounds like I am wanting everything to be overnight, but I just want to make sure that I am doing everything I can. Plus, I am not used to getting answers on here very quickly, so I figured by the time I got an answer, I might be able to do something to fix it:o) Thanks for the quick response!

  • buyorsell888
    17 years ago

    I think you were right to repot them again.

    Keep them moist and in bright light and do cut off any growth that doesn't appear to be recovering.

    Plants are tougher than people think.

    A very weak shot of liquid fertilizer wouldn't hurt either.

  • eclipse3
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Well, I was looking very closely at them last night and found mealies and spidermites, as well as an outbreak of fungus gnats in these plants. Hmmm, I have only had them for about 2 weeks and they are full of these bugs! It sucks! I am a glutton for punishment though, all of my plants got showers tonight, and very thorough "look overs." Now I am finding things in all of my plants (not necessarily real things, but if you look really hard, that brownish spot could be scale, or that dry patch could be the result of some other type of pest, etc) This is so frustrating! Well, I guess all I can do is give it time now, and try to keep up with the bugs! I refuse to throw any plants until there is absolutely no hope!

  • pirate_girl
    17 years ago

    If you've had the plants for only 2 wks & have bugs, try taking them back to the store where you bought them (I wouldn't volunteer the fact that you've repotted it, if you do, they may think that the bugs came from your soil).

    Additionally, tho' I see that you're examining them closely is what revealed they have bugs, you're sounding a bit like someone who simply cannot/will not leave the new plants alone.

    In more extreme cases, we sometimes refer to this as killing them with kindness (which really can & often will kill them).

    As these are neither rare nor expensive plants, if they were mine, I would toss the whole thing, plants, pots, soil & everything related to this misadventure in the garbage; mealy bugs can be highly contagious & quickly too (sorry to be the bearer of such a sad prognosis).

    Just so you know (I could be wrong) but your hard-headed refusal to throw any of these plant away, could ultimately (in extreme case) contaminate the rest of your plants & cost you ALL of your plants. Is that really a chance you want to take?

  • ines_99
    17 years ago

    PS- do not mist if your plants are recovering from being overwatered

  • buyorsell888
    17 years ago

    Crotons are spider mite Filet Mignon and almost all I see in stores, especially big box/grocery stores have them.

    Fungus gnats are a sign of over watering.

Sponsored
Outdoor Spaces
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars19 Reviews
Experienced Full Service Landscape Design Firm Serving Loudoun County