Why Are My Vincas Wilting And Dying?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Vincas, or periwinkles, can be infected with a fungal disease called aerial phytophthora. The disease spreads when the fungal spores in the soil are splashed on the plants when you water or when it rains. … If rains or overwatering continues,

the fungus can spread to the base of the plant and it can die

.

How often should you water vincas?

Water

every other week

, or if the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Vinca is very drought tolerant and prefers its soil to be on the dry side of moist. Do not wait too long to water, though.

Why are my vincas wilting?


A lack of water

also will cause vinca to wilt. The plant will wilt, you will water it, it springs back to life and then wilts again when it needs water. … This can cause the plants to require more frequent watering or the soil in the container may become so hot it can damage the roots and they may die.

Can vinca get too much water?

Even though its native environment is along river beds,

Vinca is still a plant that can die due to too much water

. Whenever drainage is poor, water sits and roots can’t breathe.

How do you save Overwatered vinca?

  1. Move your plant to a shady area even if it is a full-sun plant. …
  2. Check your pot for proper drainage and, if possible, create additional air space around the roots. …
  3. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch, but do not let it get too dry. …
  4. Treat with a fungicide.

Do vincas like sun or shade?

Since annual vincas are native to Madagascar, they need the summer heat to thrive.

Full sun is best

, but they can take part shade if there’s good air circulation. If an area is too stuffy, the plant can develop fungal problems. Vinca can also stand up to drought.

How do you keep vincas blooming?

Keep potted vinca blooming well by

fertilizing regularly with any general-purpose garden fertilizer

. Be sure to follow the directions on the product packaging. If you have good or average soil, you typically don’t need to fertilize vinca growing in gardens and landscapes.

What is killing my vincas?

The problem is a

fungus

, often referred to as vinca sudden death, that lives in the ground. Water from rain or sprinklers splashes spores from the fungus up onto the plants, where it grows and quickly kills the entire plant, often in as little as 48 hours.

Why are my vincas turning yellow and dying?

Nutrients. Vincas with yellowing leaves are

often reacting to a lack of iron

, which is a common problem in alkaline soil. A lack of nitrogen in the soil can also cause yellowing leaves. Use of a fertilizer containing nitrogen, iron and sulfur helps to replace the nutrients while balancing the pH.

Is Miracle Grow good for vinca?

This groundcover is also considered an

evergreen

. Ability to grow in both sun or shade makes this groundcover very versatile. … (Fertilize with Miracle-Gro once a month.)

Should vinca be pinched back?


It is not necessary to pinch vinca plants

, according to Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, because the plant branches off in all directions rather than just extending its length. … It will not hurt this hardy plant. Although vinca does branch naturally, pinching may encourage bushier growth.

How often should zinnias be watered?

Watering: Zinnias need moist soil to grow their best. This is especially true of young plants. Water

deeply a few times a week

so the soil stays moist 6 to 8 inches deep. Don’t overwater because zinnias can also succumb to rot diseases especially on wet, clay soils.

How do you tell if Underwatering vs overwatering?


If the soil is wet, it’s overwatered

– if it’s dry, it’s underwatered. Browning edges: Another symptom that can go both ways. Determine which by feeling the leaf showing browning: if it feels crispy and light, it is underwatered. If it feels soft and limp, it is overwatered.

What does an overwatered plant look like?

Stunted slow growth accompanied by

yellowing leaves

is also a symptom. Leaves falling off often accompanies this symptom. If your plants have yellowing leaves and old leaves, as well as new leaves that are falling at the same accelerated rate, you are overwatering.

What are signs of root rot?

Signs of root rot in garden plants include

stunting, wilting, and discolored leaves

. Foliage and shoots die back and the entire plant soon dies. If you pull up a plant with root rot, you will see that the roots are brown and soft instead of firm and white.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.