Well I come again for help. My sister gave me this pointsetta on Thanksgiving and now Im not sure whats happening. The leaf has this white something and also on this same leaf there is dark spots. As usual Im at a loss. Maybe Im giving it to much water(nothing new) Hope you'll help Sleep warm ed A troubled Pointsetta ( photo / image / picture from Edlou8181's Garden )
If none of the other leaves are affected I would just cut that one off and keep an eye on the others. Not all leaves (bracts) are healthy to begin with so some will have a shorter life cycle. If it's an older leaf, it could be coming to the end of it's life cycle and it's dying. Cutting it off will not only make the plant prettier but it won't have to continue to expend energy trying to sustain a dying leaf. If the plant or even just that leaf was exposed to cold by touching a window or being next to a door that is opened frequently, the low temperature could have damaged it. Cut the leaf off for the same reason as above and find a warmer, draft free location for it. And since it doesn't tolerate warm drafts either don't put it in line with a heater fan or radiator. Don't water it on a regular basis, check the dryness of the soil first by sticking your finger into it. If it's dry down to the second knuckle then water. I don't think the problem is water though, too little would cause the leaves to wilt and too much would cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
Thanks Toni The plant is by my front sliding door which I have to go out to feed the birds and there is a hot air air vent above the table. I will remove the leaf as soon as I leave here. I have another Pointsetta close by hanging under the heat vent about 36" down and it seems to be doing good. I've had that plant since this time last year. Thanks for the info. Sleep warm ed
From the picture, that is almost certainly a type of scale, you would have to take the affected parts to a lab or extension service to identify exactly. Remove all affected parts and spray with soap/water mix as I described in the previous thread. And I hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Why would that be scale??? Maybe Edlou8181 should look on the little stems for little extra layers of thingies. They should be smooth. They will look like flat lumps of things, that are dried, along the stems. You can pluck them off with your fingernail. Smash them to kill them. See if you can see these little buggers. Go check Ed.....
I don't think I've ever had a poinsettia stay pretty for more than a week or two I love them but they are just too picky :-?
I'm thinking it just looks like dehydration especially if it is sitting near the register vent and or the sliding door. Poinsettias are very picky with their need to be out of any air movement.
Ed, did your plant ever improve? My Mom gave me hers after the holidays and I can't believe how thirsty it is. Seems like it's always dry as a bone!
Pointsetta My pointsetta's are always dry,but now I have 2 and they seem to be doing ok. They're still in bloom which makes me happy. I wish this Winter was over,and Im sick of the cold and snow. Thanks for keeping in touch with me. sleep warm ed
