My potted lobelia was beautiful until just recently. It has been an unusually hot and dry summer here in Lancaster County, PA. I kept it watered though. Recent (hard) rains were welcome and all plants seemed to bounce back, except this one. I went out and it looks half dead. Cut it back? Plant it in the ground? Give it more shade? Toss it?
Cut your lobelia back by a third and keep a regular watering schedule. We tend to kill our plants with kindness because we want to give them extra water when they look sick.
I purchased two hanging baskets of bright blue and white lobelia. No matter how much I watered them, they turned brown and died. I have the same thing happen when I plant them in container pots with other flowers. They start out fine, and then turn brown and die. Am I giving them too much water, or not enough? I love the flowers, but have no luck.
This article will help with their care: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/lobelia/lobelia.htm
Something has eaten almost all of my plants. We have a lot of rabbits around and wonder if it is that or maybe our dog. We are not sure. Thank you.
Well, it would likely be the rabbits before the dog. Rabbits will alos leaves a nice, clean cut on the plants rather than the gnawing, jagged bites from many other animals, like dogs. This article will be of some help in dealing with rabbits: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/how-to-keep-rabbits-out-of-gardens.htm
The young plants are in a cold frame waiting for the last frosts. The leaves have dry white edges and is spread over all of the plants.
How much sun are they getting in the cold frame? Most likely this is sunscald, which is like sunburn in plants. This typically happens to plants that are not acclimated, but can happen to new growth on plants that are in locations that are a bit too sunny for them. If possible, move the plants to a location that is not quite so intense or you can try to shade the area some by placing a large umbrella (or something similar) over it.
Some of my lobelia looks as if it has dying stems and flowers are going yellow this year.
It may be an under watering or over watering issue. I would lean towards under watering. Sometimes, the rootball can get dried out and even if you are watering, the rootball may be repelling the water. Try giving the root area an extra good soaking to rehydrate the rootball.
I have them planted in a hanging bag. The were lovely for a few weeks but now they are dying.
Make sure the plant is getting enough water, especially if just planted. Container plants also require more watering than those planted in the ground, as they're more prone to drying out. They should be water once daily or twice if temps reach 85 F. or more.
Why do my baskets of lobelia look like they're dying despite regular watering?
Stick your finger into the soil after watering and make sure the water is actually penetrating the soil. Sometimes potting soil can dry out and start to repel water rather than absorb it. If you find this is the case, soak the whole thing in a tub for a half hour or so to force the soil to absorb the water.
Less likely but still possible is that the water is not draining out and the roots are drowning. Check to make sure that the plants are not in standing water.