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- Q.Waxy Film On My Croton Petra - I misted it with Miracle Grow and water once. After I first got it this summer, guess I shouldn't have ...
- Q.My Croton Is At Least 38 Years Old. Is This Unusual? - The plant has not increased in size over many years
- Q.My Croton Plant — The Leaves Are All Facing The Floor. - I brought the plants to the nursey; he repotted them. I left the plants in the car over night and ...
- Q.Is My Fantasy Croton Dead - I planted a fantasy croton outdoors last spring it did great. When the cold weather came it dropped all of ...
- Q.Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves And Getting New Growth As Well? - How often should I water? We have not had any rain in a few weeks.
- Q.Transplanted Small Plant, Now Leaves All Wilting - Received a lovely, multi-plant arrangement gift basket which sat in bright room, no direct sun for approx 5 weeks. Transplanted ...
- Q.Bugs Have Been Eating The Leaves Of My Croton. How Do I Stop Them? - I bought a potted Croton from a local nursery. After getting it home I found leaves with signs of a ...
Asked by
Anonymous on
October 22, 2019Q.Waxy film on my Croton Petra
I misted it with Miracle Grow and water once. After I first got it this summer, guess I shouldn't have done that, huh.
Answered by
GKH_Susan on
October 23, 2019
Certified ExpertA.Croton petra has a naturally waxy leaf surface.
If you think it's excessive then it could be an unusual protective reaction to the chemical fertilizer or something else like oil in the water.Don't attempt to remove the natural coating, it's there for a reason, but you can clean the leaves of excess oil and dust.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/how-to-clean-houseplants.htm
Fertilize through the soil and root uptake to be safe.
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- Asked by
dcleary on
November 24, 2019
4013 AustraliaQ.My Croton Is At Least 38 Years Old. Is This Unusual?
The plant has not increased in size over many years
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
November 25, 2019
Certified ExpertA.That depends on the exact type. Those known to have ancestry in harsh regions tend to have very short lifecycles, where those with ancestry in mild places tend to have longer lifespans.
It seems that the entire lifecycle can't be well studied, due to the drastic variation between species.
That is a good life, though. That is quite a long time for this Genus in general.
Here is a collection of articles that will give you more information on the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/category/houseplants/croton
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
December 5, 2019Q.My croton plant — the leaves are all facing the floor.
I brought the plants to the nursey; he repotted them. I left the plants in the car over night and it got cold. They have been in the house. At one point I brought the croton plant back to him he told me it needed water. When I water them all the water comes out in the tray. I use miracle grow. I mix it with water. Still no change. I want to keep them going because they're from my husband's funeral. pls help me.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
December 6, 2019
Certified ExpertA.They got cold, and the more that you add to try and revive it, the more it will shock it. They need to be left in a warm area to recover.
Let them almost completely dry out down to two inches into the soil. Do not feed for quite awhile, as they are likely overfed now. Only water when the top of the soil is completely dry down to two inches.
Cut any leaves off that turn dry, as they turn dry, but not before that. With some patience, you may start to see new growth again. If so, then you can begin caring for it as a normal plant.
This article will give you more information on their care: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/croton/care-croton-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
February 26, 2020Q.Is my fantasy croton dead
I planted a fantasy croton outdoors last spring it did great. When the cold weather came it dropped all of its leaves. Now everything else in the garden is growing and flowering again except the croton. Is it dead?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
February 26, 2020
Certified ExpertA.It gets below freezing in your zone 8b, so a croton should not be left outside during winter. They are tropical plants and can't tolerate temperatures below 60 degrees F. Unfortunately, yours probably froze. In the future, try keeping it in a container to bring inside during winter.
This article will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/croton/care-croton-plants.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
pagstar on
March 26, 2020
Safety Harbor, FL 34695Q.Why Is My Croton Dropping Leaves And Getting New Growth As Well?
How often should I water? We have not had any rain in a few weeks.
- Answered by
BushDoctor on
March 27, 2020
Certified ExpertA.That looks like spider mite damage! Here are some articles that will help you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/what-are-organic-pesticides.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
April 28, 2020Q.Transplanted small plant, now leaves all wilting
Received a lovely, multi-plant arrangement gift basket which sat in bright room, no direct sun for approx 5 weeks. Transplanted each plant into individual pots but within a week, the Bush on Fire Croton has wilted horribly, leaves are completely drooping down (some even falling off). It was Was placed in a sunny, east window, no drafts or heating threats. What happened?! Did it not adjust to the new location and go into shock? Any hope it'll revive? Thank you.
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
April 30, 2020
Certified ExpertA.It is hard to keep a dish garden going. When you moved them out, I'm sure transplant shock was involved. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/repotting-stress-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/croton/care-croton-plants.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Darlene112960 on
May 7, 2020
St. Petersburg FLQ.Bugs Have Been Eating The Leaves Of My Croton. How Do I Stop Them?
I bought a potted Croton from a local nursery. After getting it home I found leaves with signs of a bug/insect nibbling on them see pics attached). Are these insects/bugs living in the soil. How can I stop it from getting worse?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
May 10, 2020
Certified ExpertA.Usually the bugs bothering houseplants can be seen on the underside of leaves, except spider mites, which are too tiny. But aphids, mealybugs and scale you can see.
I don't see any photos attached, but try an insecticidal soap and spray it on the leaves, front and back, and the top of the soil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/croton/care-croton-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/hpgen/common-bugs-and-pests-on-houseplants.htm
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