Calibrachoas are beautiful garden plants with elegant-looking flowers. But sometimes the health of your plant suddenly declines, seemingly for no reason. Now you ask yourself, why is my Calibrachoa dying?
The most common reason for a calibrachoa to be dying is root rot caused by overwatering or poor water drainage. Calibrachoa prefers a dry climate, so overly damp soil will cause them to die. Other issues can be a lack of sunlight, the presence of bugs, and not enough fertilizer.
A dying calibrachoa is often in need of some encouragement, but there’s always hope. If you think that the plant is sick, there are several things to try and make it better.
Why is my Calibrachoa dying?
The most common cause for dying in a calibrachoa is root rot due to overly damp soil. This plant is native to South America and Mexico, where it is used in well-draining soil, open areas, and full sun.
If the soil around the roots is kept boggy or damp, conditions for fungal diseases, like root rot, are promoted. Symptoms of root rot include flowers and foliage turning brown and a drooping appearance.
Using trays underneath your pot or container can prevent excess water from escaping after watering. This leads to the soil becoming saturated, which, in turn, causes root rot.
Calibrachoa requires pots with good drainage. If you use a pot that does not have adequate drainage, you run the risk of trapping excess water around the roots, leading to root rot.
Hanging baskets are great for calibrachoa so long as they do not have a lining that prevents water from escaping. Overwatering can also kill your calibrachoa by keeping the roots too wet.
You should also check closely for any bugs around your calibrachoa. If there is an infestation, you will need a pesticide as soon as possible. The most common insects are mites, thrips, and aphids.
Your plant could also be dying because it is not getting enough sunlight. Your calibrachoa requires at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. If it is wilting due to lack of light, move it closer to the window or invest in some plant lights.
How do you fix root rot in Calibrachoa?
When you’re trying to reviving a calibrachoa, it’s important to first identify any signs of root rot. If you find brown or mushy roots along with wilting leaves on your calibrachoa plants then there is likely some root rot.
As long as the root rot is not too severe, you can revive your plant.
First, the best thing you can do is cut off all the affected roots. This will help minimize the damage and give your plant a good chance of recovering.
Next, remove any wilting leaves, leaving the healthy ones to help feed your plant.
Immediately move the plant to a pot with fresh soil to give your calibrachoa a fresh start.
Provide the plant with an adequate amount of water and sunlight after you did the previous steps to ensure the best environment for regeneration.
With a little bit of luck, your plant will be back to good health in no time!
If you find too many roots with black tips or if nearly all the roots turned into a sludgy texture, your plant may not be able to recover. In cases like that, it’s best to just start over with a new one.
How often should I water my Calibrachoa?
Calibrachoa is a type of flower that thrives in high humidity. Their leaves can easily become moldy if they aren’t watered sufficiently, so it’s important to follow these watering guidelines carefully!
Calibrachoa enjoys a soak and dry style of watering. They need to be watered deeply and then allowed to dry out before watering again.
This ensures their roots get the moisture they need without developing root rot.
They are watered thoroughly once per week, which ensures that the roots are not always sitting in consistently damp soil.
What is eating my Calibrachoa?
The most common pest of calibrachoa plants is the fungus gnat. It is a small mosquito-like insect that feeds on the roots and soil of plants. This eating habit directly affects the leaves of plants.
If your calibrachoa has yellow-colored leaves and small insects lurking around, then it is dying due to fungus gnats.
Other common pests are mites, thrips, and aphids. These pests are less common but can still cause damage to your calibrachoa plant.
The best way to prevent pests is to keep your calibrachoa plant healthy. Avoid over-watering and over-fertilizing, as this will make the plant more susceptible to pests. Inspect your plant regularly for any signs of pests or disease.
How to revive dying Calibrachoa?
There are a few steps to take if you have a calibrachoa that is showing signs of dying off by pests. It is important to act quickly as some things cannot be reversed.
The first step is to diagnose the problem. Affected plants and those surrounding them will need to be removed immediately as this will prevent the spread of a fungal infection.
Next, spray the affected plants with a disinfectant spray. This will aid in the removal of harmful pests.
Third, you will need to prune the infected leaves and stems. Any parts of the plants showing signs of rot or fungus will need to be removed as well. If the plants have contracted leaf spots, immediately prune off affected leaves.
Lastly, you will need to reapply the disinfectant spray. This will have to be done every two weeks until the problem is under control.
Later, do not overwater the plants. Give them a slow-release organic fertilizer. This will help strengthen your plant’s overall growth.
Why did my Calibrachoa stop blooming?
If your plants are missing some key growing conditions, your calibrachoa may not flower. There are several things you can check to find the problem.
First, you may not be offering your plant enough sunlight. Inadequate lighting is a common reason for calibrachoa to stop blooming. Make sure you plant them where they have access to at least 4 hours of sunlight daily.
They also need to be at the right temperature. Make sure to check your USDA zone to see what your temperature range is.
Calibrachoa thrives in temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A hardened-off calibrachoa can be taken outside in the spring months, and it can withstand a light frost.
The correct fertilizer will promote good flowering. 20-10-20 with a slow-release function is ideal for this plant. Using it every two weeks will promote flower growth.
If you have been using a fertilizer with high levels of nitrogen, this can be the cause of your lack of blooms. Nitrogen may reduce blooming while it promotes leaf growth.
Will Calibrachoa come back next year?
Calibrachoa is a perennial in its native South America. Most gardeners grow them as summer annuals in colder climates.
This plant can be easily propagated from cuttings. This means you can take cuttings from the plant, root them, and grow them indoors in a brightly lit location.
You can also try moving your calibrachoa inside during the winter to keep them alive longer.
Final thoughts
The number one cause of calibrachoa dying is root rot. This is caused by too much water in the root area. While milder cases are reversible, severe cases might mean the end of your plant.
Several other factors can cause a calibrachoa to die. These include pests, not enough fertilizer, and lack of sunlight.
While your calibrachoa can be revived in most cases, taking care of your plant the right way the first time is the best way to keep it healthy.
