I'll admit right off the top, I'm more of a single specimen gardener/specialist than one to lay out beds of flowers. But lately I've gotten the bug, and this year am going to concentrate on growing some flowers beloved by bees and butterflies. So I now have a bunch of pentas, and laid them out about a week ago. Now I think they're too close together, and will have to move the ones on the outside. I promise to take a picture and post tomorrow, it just got dark here. I want to know what you more professional flower gardeners think of my spacing. But you may be able to help me with this question right now. I intentionally placed the bed where gray water drains, once weekly. The soil is sandy with about 10 percent loam/organic, and 15 percent clay. Here's what's happening. They have all wilted except the middle red variety, and one small lavendar one on outside edge. The larger, light pinkish/white are droopy. I water every other day, and when I noticed them this afternoon, I watered again. Am I overwatering? The soil drains freely, but was juuuust moist to touch at surface when I saw first noticed. Do I need different soil? Are they doing this because they are new and not adjusted yet? Please help if you have any experience with this plant. Thanks guys and gals, Edit: Temps: Today was first day reached 81 F. Also, they receive 6 to 7 hrs. sun (currently)
Penta Problem Hello I think just from what you are saying you may be over watering. One of the great things about Pentas is their Drought resistant quality as well as the ability to stand up to the full sun. I would not water nearly as often. It could be the clayish soil as well. this can be exacerbating the situation by holding the water. Pentas do well in dry soil, now I don't mean desert dry. I would not water again until the soil has dried out, and then would probably only water about twice a week unless the soil is holding the moisture then maybe only once per week. On the spacing I would put them 10-20 inches apart. I hope this helps.
