Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Friday - November 03, 2006
From: Safety Harbor, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Diseases and Disorders, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Problems with sunflowers in Florida
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I planted sunflowers on the west side of my house where I have previously planted them and they grew wonderfully. These new ones, however, seem to be dying, (less than 2 weeks). I bought the plants at the store, put potting soil in the holes and then the plant. I have also used milorganite, as I have used it in the past with wonderful results. Can I just trim the sunflowers to get new growth or are they a lost cause? My gerbera daisies are doing a little better, but not much. What can I do to bring these two plants back?ANSWER:
Let's consider the possible causes for your plants not doing well:
1. They haven't received enough water.
From your concern about their care, I would think that you had given them sufficient water.
2. They are stressed from too much water.
This is not likely the cause since Florida's sandy soil drains well even if you applied too much water for them.
3. They were overfertilized.
It would be difficult to overfertilize with milorganite.
The most likely cause is that your plants were stressed from something that occurred before you bought them. You can try pruning away the dead foliage from the sunflowers and the gerbera daisies, but it is a little late in the season even in Florida for sunflowers to recover and do very well.
More Diseases and Disorders Questions
Problems with mature Blue Agave in Kenya
December 09, 2012 - I have a mature Agave plant and there is a thin black liquid that looks like oil starting to appear on the leaves. The plant plant seems to be dying (from the bottom up). (The plant is a blue Agave an...
view the full question and answer
Failure to flourish of Trumpet Creeper in Leesburg VA
June 28, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants: Late last year I planted a trumpet creeper vine to grow on my fence and attract hummingbirds. It gets full sun, is in average soil and gets adequate water. I put a few daylilli...
view the full question and answer
Burning sulfur over coals in the home for insect control.
July 18, 2008 - Is burning sulfur(over hot coals) in your home a safe way of getting rid of ants and insects?
view the full question and answer
Causes of death to Papershell pinion pine (Pinus remota)?
December 03, 2015 - Good afternoon. I did my best to review the site and have not found a comparable question - apologies if I have missed something. I own property equidistant between Leakey and Campwood off of HWY 33...
view the full question and answer
Why is my Ash drooping?
June 22, 2009 - Last spring, I bought a house in Austin, TX with a large Ash tree in the front yard. It looked fine last year, but has been looking funny since it leafed out this spring. It's as if the leaves are we...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |