| Symptoms |
Problems related to growing conditions |
Solutions |
| Stems become leggy (etiolated) and plant grows toward light source |
Insufficient light |
Move into brighter light |
| Stems and leaves turn yellow |
Iron, magnesium or other mineral deficiency; overwatering; too much calcium in the potting medium; insufficient light |
Feed properly with a complete fertilizer (with micro-elements); water less frequently; repot plant; correct pH;
move into brighter light |
| Discoloured stems and leaves |
Too much sun |
Move to a shadier spot |
| Failure to flower |
Nitrogen deficiency; phosphorous deficiency; lack of winter rest |
Fertilize properly; allow plant to rest in winter |
| Leaves, flower buds or flowers drop off |
Insufficient light; over- or underwatering; temperature too cool |
Move into brighter light; adjust watering frequency; raise temperature |
| Plant stops growing |
Underwatering; mineral deficiency; root rot; natural winter dormancy |
Water more frequently; fertilize properly; repot plant; allow plant to remain dormant until spring |
| Base of stems turns woody |
Normal aging of the plant |
none |
| Yellowish or reddish-brown lesions on the stems that may form corky scars |
Too much sun; too cold; too damp, combined with low temperatures and fertilizer too high in nitrogen |
Move to a shadier spot, raise temperature, increase air circulation and temperature and fertilize properly |
| Stems and leaves turn soft, leaves become shrivelled |
Overwatering |
Repot and water less frequently |
Leaves and flowers turn limp, dry out and drop off;
stems dry out |
Underwatering |
Gradually increase frequency of watering |
| Soft spots on stems and leaves, particularly at growing tips, translucent dark green water-logged lesions |
Water too cold; frost |
Use tepid water; raise temperature or bring plant indoors before nighttime temperatures get too cool |
| Loss of root mass |
Potting medium too wet; underwatering; improper pH; winter dormancy |
Repot and adjust watering frequency; keep soil moister; adjust pH; normal phenomenon during dormancy |
