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Hi! I am looking for some advice on my poor croton. It seems to have… | Anything about plants | Planta community

Emily

Hi! I am looking for some advice on my poor croton. It seems to have completely given up overnight. I have been following Planta’s watering schedule, which in hindsight might have been the problem, it hadn’t been watered in 3 weeks when I noticed it droop yesterday. I have been misting regularly. Plant Doctor is saying it’s over watered but how can it be when it was so dry the whole root bulb wiggled when I was checking the bottom. I gave it a very light watering yesterday to dampen the soil but no change. It got super cold in PA two days ago so maybe that had an effect? Though I haven’t moved it since the last cold snap and it was fine through that. I want to water it again or maybe give it a bottom soak but I’m worried it will shock it further. Thoughts?

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3 likes 13 comments

13 comments

  1. plantpapi

    My croton also started dropping because of the draft here in Philly. Planta’s watering cycle seemed to severely underwater my croton so I changed the schedule and started watering it once a week and misting it every few days and it’s thriving now! I also have my croton in a plastic pot too if you consider repotting.

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    • Emily

      Oh good tips! I am also outside of Philly so I feel you on the drafty weather. I did move it to a plastic pot and gave it a good bottom soak yesterday. I’ll have to try that watering schedule! Thanks!

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  2. Erin F

    I have come to completely ignore Planta’s watering schedule all together. I used it in the beginning as a beginner to learn and better understand but the more I have learned,

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    • Erin F

      The more I know a “regular” watering schedule isn’t what your plant needs. You just need to know the signs that it’s dry and water it!

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    • Erin F

      Sorry I keep having to reply to myself, the app is being dump. So the best way to know is to stick your fingers in 1-2 inches, if it’s dry, water. Or if the pot is much lighters than normal water. The schedule doesn’t matter. What matters is your plant gets water when it needs it.

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    • Erin F

      Also make sure when you water, that all the dirt is wet. Water should be running out of the bottom of the pot. But don’t let it sit in water for too long

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  3. Grey Star

    Try bottom watering (a.k.a buttchugging)

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    • Surfside Seedling

      Buttchugging 😂

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  4. Surfside Seedling

    Definitely needs a thorough watering. Drown that hoe, let her drain & don’t give up! My croton is the moodiest plant I have, so I understand the frustration. They do not like drafts or being moved around too much, so be careful not to traumatize the drama queen more. Good luck! trauma

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    • Emily

      It is definitely moody 😂. I’ve tried a few things and now I’m just going to let it calm down. Fingers crossed it accepts my help and apologies

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  5. Emily

    Thank you everyone! Just want to update. I moved it to a plastic pot and gave it a good bottom soak. Planta now thinks it’s fertilizer burn so I gave it a drenching from the top a few days later. This morning I took it out, rinsed the roots, trimmed the sad ends and repotted in the plastic. I’m just going to wait now. Fingers crossed it helps! It really is moody. Also ignoring the Planta advice for it.

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    • Surfside Seedling

      Don’t be surprised if it looks worse before it gets better. Now that you’ve fixed her all up, she’s gonna need a lot of time & space. Try not to overlove it.

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    • Emily

      Oh she’s definitely looking really sad but I hear you. Leaving her alone now. I wanted to get a look at the roots. I feel better now as they didn’t look too bad.

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