Black Eyed Susan
By Cynthia
Michigan, United States
My black eyed susan's look terrible this year. They are small and most of the leaves are black?
- 31 Jul, 2009
Answers
By Black Eyed Susan, are you referring to Thunbergia alata (the climber), or Rudbeckia? Both have this common name.
1 Aug, 2009
I'm growing Thunbergia alata in the conservatory by the window, and after flowering wonderfully, the stems and leaves have all turned white and there's only a handful of flowers on the end of the stems. I've seen some very healthy ones growing outside. Would I be better to plant it out now, or can I cut it right down and expect flowers in the autumn?
(Sorry to 'hijack' your question Cynthia, but I thought the thunbergia experts might already have looked at this question)
1 Aug, 2009
I grow Thunbergia gregorii (orange clock vine) as a perennial in a pot and it has never failed me for 3 years now. I leave it in the pot outside and cover the top with a cloche during the colder months. I potted it with a mixture of JI no3 and compost with grit and slow release feed pellets. I never overwater it as I think your problem may be overwatering, I give it a good liquid feed when it starts to show new growth in the Spring. When the growth has finished and the plant is going into hibernation the stems should turn a dry straw texture, cut all of this back, cover the top of the soil with fleece, then bark and then put a cloche over the top if you are leaving it outside.
2 Aug, 2009
I think you'll need to dig them up to get to the root of the problem.
Give them a good wash, strip the affected leaves and then replant in a different locale.
Finally, return to the original site, and pour a full kettle of boiling water into the hole.
Job done!
1 Aug, 2009