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Purple heart plants are breaking my heart
Posted Oct 11, 2009 by Kim Franke-Folstad
Updated Oct 11, 2009 at 05:38 PM
This is a plea for help.
When I first planted purple heart (or purple queen) in my garden, I was thrilled with the results. It spread very quickly, which was great for filling in the high-profile spots where I’d put it. And it looked beautiful.
I’ve had purple heart in pots before, and I know the stems can break off easily. But it grows so fast, that not really a problem.
Now that I have it in the ground in several places, though, I’ve noticed that it’s looking pretty ragged. Something is chewing the leaves – leaving little holes and ugly rough edges.
The University of Florida’s IFAS Extension Web site (http://www.ifas.ufl.edu), says there are “no pests or diseases of major concern” for purple heart, although “mites and chewing insects may occasionally cause injury.” This doesn’t match up to what my plants look like.
I’m wondering if they’re more susceptible if they get too much sun, because the plants in the sunnier part of the garden look the worst.
I could trim them back and see what happens, but I’m afraid the plants will just get eaten all over again.
I hate to spray if I don’t have to. Any thoughts?
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Reader Comments
Posted by (RickBrown) on October 12, 2009
Could it be slugs or snails feeding at night? Do the old beer trick. Put beer in a jar lid where they can crawl in and drown. Also Sluggo is an organic bait that is primarily iron phosphate and lethal only to slugs and snails. (pet safe) It breaks down into iron and phosphate which are both absorbed by plants. Beyond that I would try 2 oz of timed release fertilizer per plant and pray for rain. No need to cut them back as they should be good as new in no time, especially with this heat and the full sun placement. Go Purple. Right Plant-Right Place!
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on October 13, 2009
Thanks, Rick.
I don’t see too many snails in my yard, so I’m not sure if that’s it or not. But it sure couldn’t hurt to try the beer trick, if only to see if that’s the problem.
I do plan to fertilize, as well, just to help them brighten up and get stronger, so they can fight off whatever’s bugging them.
Do you know if they sell Sluggo at Home Depot or Lowe’s? A co-worker was telling me the other day that slugs are getting to his peppers—munching on the tops.