This plant was given to me and the lady said it was a moonflower, but I have no idea. I planted it and now it is drooping. I wattered it yesterday and today, but to no avail. Help?!
[img]https://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo325/shadowyn79/100_1273.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo325/shadowyn79/100_1272.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo325/shadowyn79/100_1271.jpg[/img] [img]https://i388.photobucket.com/albums/oo325/shadowyn79/100_1270.jpg[/img]
-
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:44 pm
- Location: DFW Area
- hendi_alex
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 3604
- Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:58 am
- Location: Central Sand Hills South Carolina
- rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
As alex said moonflower most commonly refers to a vine, scientific name Ipomoea, which is closely related to morning glory. However, it seems that moonflower is also sometimes used as a common name for a Datura species
(Datura wrightii aka: Devil's Apple, Jimsom Weed, Atropine Plant, Moonflower, Desert Thorny Apple, Deadly Nightshade.) This plant is quite poisonous, so watch out for it. There's a very cool video on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShIEVq8eWVQ
showing a Datura plant that looks just like yours in time lapse photography, being watered and coming back from totally wilted. However your plant has leaves that aren't just wilted, they are curled. That's not a good sign, probably some kind of pest or disease.
(Datura wrightii aka: Devil's Apple, Jimsom Weed, Atropine Plant, Moonflower, Desert Thorny Apple, Deadly Nightshade.) This plant is quite poisonous, so watch out for it. There's a very cool video on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShIEVq8eWVQ
showing a Datura plant that looks just like yours in time lapse photography, being watered and coming back from totally wilted. However your plant has leaves that aren't just wilted, they are curled. That's not a good sign, probably some kind of pest or disease.
-
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 1152
- Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:26 am
- Location: North Carolina
-
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:44 pm
- Location: DFW Area
-
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:44 pm
- Location: DFW Area
- hendi_alex
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 3604
- Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:58 am
- Location: Central Sand Hills South Carolina
The bad thing about drooping is it can mean too much water, or it can mean too little water. Perhaps get a moisture meter with a probe and test moisture down in the root zone. Sometimes new plants have top growth that is large relative to the root development, and when placed in the ground transpiration simply exceeds the plant's capacity to absorb water. In such a case, it is good to remove some of the top growth until the roots develop more and catch up. Some plants just can't handle late afternoon sun, and will droop regardless. In that case, move the plant so that it avoids the hot afternoon exposure. Of course, there is always the possibility that your plant just perks up after a few days, but with this plant, the problem seems to be persisting too long.
If the plant was mine, I would lift it. Would assess root condition. And would put it back into a container, giving the plant morning only sun until it perks back up. Then would try to find a better location before putting it back in the ground. Oh, would also trim off that flower or seed ball, as would have to be taking quite a bit of energy from such a young plant.
Good luck!
If the plant was mine, I would lift it. Would assess root condition. And would put it back into a container, giving the plant morning only sun until it perks back up. Then would try to find a better location before putting it back in the ground. Oh, would also trim off that flower or seed ball, as would have to be taking quite a bit of energy from such a young plant.
Good luck!
-
- Newly Registered
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:44 pm
- Location: DFW Area