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Pelargonium problems

Tony24Tony24 Posts: 14
in Plants
Hello. I'm looking for some advice from the experts here. Pic attached.

My pelargoniums always seem to succumb to the same problem. They start off well and then gradually the leaves darken, then turn yellow and red and drop off. New leaves are smaller and also become blighted. It seems to affect all varieties although the waxy leafed trailing types are a little more resistant. Plants that have over wintered and are in a second year seem to be affected more severely. Underside of leaves look pretty much same as the top side.

They are growing in pots and window boxes on a London balcony, get a good bit of sun and are watered when dry.

Any advice please?

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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,983
    Hi Tony
    What do you feed them with and how often?
    Do you change the compost
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Tony24Tony24 Posts: 14
    Hi Pete.
    These were planted in potting compost in March. They haven't been fed since.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,983
    I'd guess they'd be rather hungry by now.
    If you can get hold of some sort of tomato fertilizer (e.g. Tomorite) I think they'll perk up. If you feed them every couple of weeks and keep the compost not too moist, they should recover.
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,322
    In addition to @Pete.8's excellent advice, as they're on a balcony, in a town, they will probably get more wind and sun, which can cause them to scorch more, and they then just die back. Although they like drier, free draining conditions, check they aren't drying out too much.
    It's possible you might need to have them in a more hefty compost because of that  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Tony24Tony24 Posts: 14
    edited June 2020
    Thanks I'll try that although I have tried feeding them in previous years and still had similar problems so I was inclined to think it's some sort of disease or infestation.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,983
    Did you cut them back earlier in the season?
    I don't have any atm, but when I did, those that survived the winter got cut back to 3-4" then they re-sprout with fresh new leaves
    A pic of them in situ may give us some clues as to the cause
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,772
    Crumbs, I’ve never fed a pelargonium in my life! If anything could it be the potting mix is too rich? When I grew them on a sunny balcony, I used cheapo multi purpose compost mixed with plenty of grit, maybe a top up of fresh compost in Spring, if they were lucky. They need watering frequently when in growth/flower, but it’s important the excess is allowed to drain away between waterings, so check drainage holes to make sure they are clear and this is happening. They hate soggy bottoms! Bottom leaves naturally die and fall off but if it’s happening all over the plant that is a problem. They don’t need any watering over winter and should be kept on the dry side - could those that overwinter be getting too soggy during that period? 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Tony24Tony24 Posts: 14
    edited June 2020
    They are cuttings taken earlier this year from last year's plants. They are definitely not sitting in soggy compost. It's not just the lowest leaves withering, it all but the highest few. There are a lot of fine white specks on the top side of leaves still on the plants which are more obvious in this pic. I'm not sure if it relates to the problem or if its just pollen or something that's blown onto them. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 9,983
    Leaves often turn shades of red or purple after a chill.
    Some of those white specks seem to have legs - or is it time for me to visit specsavers? - oh! I can't anyway
    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Tony24Tony24 Posts: 14
    You are right some of them do have legs. I think they are some sort of spider as there are very fine webs over the leaves. I don't know what the very fine white specks are though.
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