“Why is my plant dying?” is a question we often get in the Fulton County Extension office. The next phrase we typically hear is, “But I water it every day and it’s turning yellow!”
While intentions may be good, overwatering can be as bad as not watering enough. Much of the time, a dying plant is suffering from root rot, caused by the soil-borne microorganisms Pythium, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia. These microorganisms thrive in environments with excess soil water, either from overwatering or poor drainage. If your plant is wilting and yellowing, it may be that the roots cannot absorb the nutrients and water it needs.
Here are the results from a recent diagnostic sample taken from a boxwood at the University of Georgia plant pathology lab:
“The root and crown rot pathogen, Phytophthora sp., was identified from the roots of the submitted boxwood sample. Remove dead plants. Root disease development within landscapes is associated with wet soils, overwatering, over-fertilization, planting plants too deeply and planting in poorly draining soils.
“Correct site conditions to improve water drainage through the soil. Fungicide drenches are often of little benefit after infection occurs and plants are symptomatic. Fungicides also will not penetrate heavy soils to protect plant roots. When replanting, plant new plants at the correct height and a fungicide drench can help protect the new roots during establishment. . . Also, avoid overwatering and poorly draining soils to reduce Phytophthora infection.”
In other words: A plant with wet feet can…
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