Red Hot Poker Plant Dying?
Red Hot Poker dying? I bought a Red Hot Poker plant last fall and have been patiently waiting for it to bloom since. I finally noticed last week it was producing a flower. However, today I noticed a bunch of brown leaves. I grabbed one to look at, and it pulled right out, like it died right at the base. The other brown ones were the same. I was wondering what could be the cause and if anyone knows a solution. I’d hate to think I waited this long to see it bloom and now it dies just as it produces one. Its my understanding that the lower leaves will die off first in the fall but we aren’t there yet.
- Too much fertilizer would be a cause of it.
- Right now the main focus of the plant’s energy is in the flower blossom so if its just a few leaves then it shouldn’t be an issue.
- Make sure that you trim those dead leaves off.
- I’m guessing that top photo is fairly recent, is it just the leaves around the outer edge that have been affected? They are quite heat and drought tolerant, does it have good drainage? I bought a Red Hot Poker plant last fall and have been patiently waiting for it to bloom since.
I finally noticed last week it was producing a flower. However, today I noticed a bunch of brown leaves. I grabbed one to look at, and it pulled right out, like it died right at the base. The other brown ones were the same. I was wondering what could be the cause and if anyone knows a solution.
- I’d hate to think I waited this long to see it bloom and now it dies just as it produces one.
- As Kniphofia or Red Hot Poker plants are both extremely hardy and prone to very little in the way of pests and diseases – if its only a few of the outer leaves that have turned brown – as they are probably only older leaves that dying off – I too would suggest doing the same as firelily has already mentioned and remove all the outer brown leaves.
However as Kniphofia are extremely drought tolerant plants that require excellent drainage and very little additional watering other than natural rainfall – they can – when planted in a situation where drainage is not adequate or when given too much additional water – suffer from what is called crown rot – which unfortunately begins to show itself in the way that you have described – brown leaves that have rotted at the base and are easily pulled out – which if this is the case – can sometimes – depending on how advanced the rot is – be rectified by reducing the amount of additional water and providing more adequate drainage They are quite heat and drought tolerant, does it have good drainage? However as Kniphofia are extremely drought tolerant plants that require excellent drainage and very little additional watering other than natural rainfall – they can – when planted in a situation where drainage is not adequate or when given too much additional water – suffer from what is called crown rot – which unfortunately begins to show itself in the way that you have described – That’s seems like it is likely the problem.
- I wouldn’t say drainage is neither excellent nor bad, but we had heavy rain recently and without thinking I also watered that night.
- I’ll keep that in mind and avoid watering it.
- I also have wood chips around it which hold in moisture, so I pulled them away from it so the soil can dry out faster.
- That’s seems like it is likely the problem.
I wouldn’t say drainage is neither excellent nor bad, but we had heavy rain recently and without thinking I also watered that night. I’ll keep that in mind and avoid watering it. I also have wood chips around it which hold in moisture, so I pulled them away from it so the soil can dry out faster.
Unfortunately from what you describe it does sound very much like your Kniphofia is starting to suffer from crown rot – which as this can actually kill your plant – its is very important at this stage to try and let it dry out entirely by not giving it any additional water at all – especially as Kniphofia are so drought tolerant that they rarely need any additional watering at all and generally survive with nothing more than the amount they get from occasional rainfall.
Its good that you moved the wood chips too – as having them around the base of the plant would have contributed to the problem. How to grow : Red Hot Poker dying?
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Contents
Why is my Red Hot Poker plant dying?
Ask the Expert: Why is my Lily (red hot) dying on the stems only? The leaves on this plant look just fine, but, the stems are turning brown then just dropping down and are dead in the stem only. What am I doing wrong? Crystal Crystal, Your Kniphofia (Ret Hot Poker) probably has Rhizoctonia (a soil borne fungus) or another kind of fungus.
- The spread of Rhizoctonia and other fungus is caused by poor watering practices.
- Water your Kniphofia in the morning if possible and you may need to cut back the water.
- You want to keep your plants moist but not soggy.
- Remove all parts of the plant that are infected.
- You can trim the stems completely down to the ground.
Between each cut, dip your pruner in a solution of bleach water to prevent the spread of the disease. Solution should be 1part bleach to 3 parts water. If the plants are in a container remove all the soil and re-pot in new soil after you have clean the container with bleach water.
- You will need to treat your Kniphofia with a fungicide.
- I recommend a systemic fungicide with the active ingredient propiconazole.
- Fertilome liquid systemic fungicide is one I often use, but there are other brands that contain the same chemical.
- Your local garden center should carry a fungicide that will work for you.
Jamie
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Do red hot pokers come back?
Self-Sufficient And Easy To Grow – Red hot pokers are easy to grow, and once established, will easily return year after year. However, these plants can grow and spread without much input from your side, which means that they need to be properly monitored to prevent them from taking over!
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Should red hot pokers be dead headed?
Should I Cut Off the Old Bloom on Hot Pokers? By Justine Harrington Updated October 11, 2019 Red hot poker ( Kniphofia uvaria ) is an eye-catching, boldly colorful plant that’s native to South Africa, and it’s a gorgeous addition to any landscape. Not only are they beautiful, but red hot poker plants are exceptionally easy to grow; they’re listed for growing in U.S.
Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9, though they can be hardy as far north as zone 5. They bloom intermittently from late spring to fall, and to help encourage flowering, you should deadhead your red hot pokers; otherwise, if left to go to seed, these plants will slow down their flower production.
The red hot poker plant is a showy, lovely perennial that’s in the lily family. This plant’s most striking characteristic is its blooms, which resemble glowing pokers or torches: towering stalks of orange, yellow, pink, red or cream-colored tubular flowers.
The red hot poker flower, which typically grows to be between 3 and 4 feet tall, is truly one of the most showstopping blooms in any garden. To care for this fire poker flower plant, you’ll need to provide it with full sun and average, well-drained soil. Good drainage is essential, especially through winter, when wet soil can potentially make the roots rot.
Plants should be spaced roughly 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for proper growth; these plants rarely need staking because their stalks are sturdy. Red hot poker blossoms open from bottom to top over the course of several days, changing color as they mature; however, to ensure that your plant produces as many long-lasting blooms as possible, it’s important to cut off old blooms to make room for new growth (this process is referred to as “deadheading”).
- Deadheading refreshes a plant’s appearance and helps to redirect the plant’s energy towards root and vegetative growth; the best time to deadhead a flower is when its appearance begins to decline.
- Red hot poker flower spikes will begin to bloom in the springtime.
- As old flowers fade, remove them by cutting at the base of the stem, to promote continuous growth through the fall.
In colder climates, you can leave the old foliage on the plant to protect the crown over winter; then, you can tidy the plants in spring by pulling away dead and damaged leaves at the base. Leaving the foliage on the plant will allow the leaves to gather sunlight and create food through photosynthesis.
- In milder climates, you can cut or pull out any poor-looking leaves in fall; new leaves will replace them by springtime.
- To ensure that your red hot poker plant produces bountiful, healthy blooms, follow these tried-and-true tips for caring for your plant: Use a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch (like shredded bark); this will help maintain soil moisture and prevent weed growth.
Red hot poker plants don’t grow well in poorly drained soil that stays soggy after it rains or watering; using the proper soil is one of the most important components of their care. Soil can be allowed to dry out in the fall and winter. During hot summers, red hot pokers need 1 inch of water per week; otherwise, flowering will decrease.
These plants require adequate moisture when blooms are forming. In terms of fertilizing, you should amend the soil at planting with a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost, and then apply an organic fertilizer every spring afterward. In warm areas, in late fall, you can tie the leaves of your red poker plant into a canopy over the crown; this will help prevent water from building up in the center of the plant during winter.
: Should I Cut Off the Old Bloom on Hot Pokers?
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Should Red Hot Poker leaves be cut back?
Pruning Red Hot Poker – Cutting back a Red Hot Poker’s tall stalks after blooming is not recommended. Allowing the foliage to remain all season long helps the plant to store food for the winter. However, you can cut off the spent blooms after they fade.
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Do red hot pokers need a lot of water?
How to Care for a Red Hot Poker Plant – Although this beautiful plant is hardy and moderately drought resistant, regular water is required in order for the plant to reach its full potential. Gardeners should be diligent with watering during hot and dry spells.
- Provide a 2- to 3-inch (5-7.5 cm.) layer of mulch to help with water retention and for protection during cold winters.
- Cut foliage off at the base of the plant in late fall and remove spent flower spike to encourage more blooms.
- Poker plants can be divided in the fall for new plants.
- Do not bury the crown of the plant any deeper than 3 inches (7.5 cm.).
Water new plants thoroughly and cover with a liberal amount of mulch. This article was last updated on 06/18/21 Read more about Red Hot Poker
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Do Red Hot Poker plants need a lot of water?
How to Grow Red Hot Poker Throughout the Season – Growth Habit: Red hot poker plants are specimens in the garden. The sword-shaped, pointy leaves grow in a round clump and the bottlebrush-like flower stalks emerge from the center of the clump in succession starting in early summer.
At the end of the flower stalks are tube-shaped, colorful flower clusters that are tapered, resembling a torch. Hence, the common name torch lily. Staking: Red hot poker plants have strong flower stalks that rarely need staking to stay upright. However, avoid planting tall varieties in a windy location so the stalks stay straight.
Watering: Although established red hot poker plants can withstand dry periods in summer, lack of adequate watering will cause the flowering to be decreased. Provide red hot poker plants with 1 inch of water every week during hot summers. Make sure the water saturates the soil 5 to 6 inches deep each time, but let the soil dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing: Amend the soil at planting with a 2- to 3-inch thick layer of compost. Each spring thereafter, apply a dry granular, balanced, organic fertilizer. Trimming & Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers in summer as they fade to encourage more flower stalks to form. If left to go to seed, the plant will slow down new flower production.
Cut blooms at any time for indoor flower arranging. In late fall in warm areas, tie the leaves into a canopy over the crown to prevent water from accumulating in the center of the plant in winter. The water can cause the crown to rot. In early spring, cut the foliage back to 3 inches off the ground to clean up the plant and allow new foliage to emerge.
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How long do red hot pokers last?
Growth Patterns – The size of the plant ranges from the 5 foot tall ‘Royal Standard’ to the 1 to 2 foot tall ‘Little Maid’. While the traditional and most common red hot poker variety has orange or red flowers turning to yellow as it ages, there are other color choices.
‘Springtime’ has coral and yellow flowers. ‘Goldmine’ has amber colored blooms. ‘Tawny King’ has cream and apricot colored flowers. ‘Bees Lemon’ has yellow and green flowers. The flowers are actually clusters of small, tube-shaped blooms that hummingbirds, butterflies and bees love. Most varieties start blooming in early to midsummer and continue into fall, especially if you deadhead (remove) spent blossoms.
The contrast of the tall, torch-like stalks with colorful flowers on the end with the aloe-like leaves is outstanding. The leaves remain evergreen in warmer climates, but are deciduous in colder regions. Since Red Hot Poker has such as long bloom period, and individual flowers can last up to 18 days, this plant should be featured prominently in your garden.
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Should red hot pokers be cut back for winter?
Pruning Red Hot Poker Pruning perennials properly and during the correct time of year can extend blooming, encourage healthy growth, and protect from temperature extremes and stress. Red Hot Poker ( Kniphofia spp.) is a clumping, full-sun perennial that requires little maintenance. 
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How do you keep red hot pokers blooming?
Red Hot Poker Care Must-Knows – Though red hot poker looks tropical, the plant is quite hardy. Plant container-grown red hot poker in early spring in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, Spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch over the plant’s root zone to preserve soil moisture and prevent weeds.
Water new plants weekly for the first growing season in the garden. Clip spent flower blossoms to promote rebloom. Plants will send up a flush of flower spikes in late spring or early summer and continue blooming through the growing season if spent flowers are deadheaded. Red hot poker doesn’t tolerate division well, but you can divide the plant if you want to create more plants.
Divide using a sharp spade to slice through the plant’s root system. Transplants should have a large mass of roots and many aboveground stems. Replant all divisions in the spring, and be prepared to wait 2 to 3 years before the transplants bloom.
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Do you cut down red hot pokers after flowering?
How to grow red hot pokers – Grow red hot pokers in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut them to the ground after flowering and keep the roots dry in winter. Divide in spring to propagate new plants and reinvigorate existing clumps. Growing kniphofias: jump links
Where to grow kniphofias How to plant kniphofias How to care for kniphofias How to propagate kniphofias Growing kniphofias: problem solving Red hot poker varieties to grow
Do red hot pokers do well in pots?
Cultivation notes – Red-hot pokers make rewarding and often long-lived garden plants. Their distinctively-shaped blooms are among the most spectacular of hardy flowers, and their long season means that by careful plant choice gardeners can enjoy them between spring and late autumn.
- Recent breeding work means there is a larger range and improved colours available to gardeners, with smaller habits and neater foliage.
- Colours range from red and orange through yellow to green and even brown and pink.
- Planting in borders and containers Kniphofias are generally easy to grow given the right conditions.
For optimum performance choose a spot in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil that isn’t too wet over winter. Smaller, narrow-leaved cultivars such as ‘Bees’ Sunset’ are easier to combine with other plants than the larger sorts, and grow well in pots and containers.
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Why is my red hot poker plant not growing?
Ask the Expert: Red Hot Pokers not blooming My Red Hot Pokers have always bloomed by the end of June, but this year they don’t seemed to want to bloom. The foliage looks healthy and is growing very nicely. I live in Colorado and we’ve had more rain this year than in the past.
Any ideas? Thanks Cassie Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: A water issue can cause Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) to under perform. Lack of water when the bloom is forming is usually the culprit. However, it sounds as if you are getting enough water. Temperature could be another factor. If your area is below normal temps or the temperatures got too high too soon, the blooming schedule would be thrown out of whack.
Lack of light can also cause insufficient or lack of blooms in Red Hot Poker. If your area has become shadier than it has been in the past, you will need to move your plants. I’m not sure if Red Hot Poker behaves like iris, but it might. When Iris become buried too deep it will produce lovely foliage, but no blooms.
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Why are my red hot pokers drooping?
Cutting Back Red Hot Poker Plants – As fall arrives, you may see your red hot poker plant’s leaves wilting. The plant will go dormant for winter and much of the foliage yellows at this time. The plant rests for several months to begin growing again in spring.
- While it is possible to cut back foliage at this state, you’ll do better to use it to protect the plant in winter.
- If you tie the foliage over the center of the plant, the crown is protected and insulated.
- The time for red hot poker plant trimming is in springtime, once all threat of cold weather has passed.
Trim back dead foliage with a pruner and sit back as your plant comes back to life for another round of beautiful blooms. : Red Hot Poker Plant Trimming – Do You Cut Back Red Hot Poker Plants
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How do you maintain a red hot poker plant?
Aftercare – To help keep your red-hot pokers healthy;
Tidy plants in mid spring Water container-grown plants regularly over the summer Deadhead after flowering
Why is my alternanthera wilting?
Alternanthera Growing Instructions – Indoors, grow alternanthera in bright light. It’s one houseplant that can tolerate a lot of direct sun on its foliage (in fact, the more light it gets, the better its foliage color will be). Water enough to keep the soil moist, but not wet or soggy.
- Alternanthera wilts fairly easily if it gets too dry, but quickly recovers when you water it.
- Outdoors, grow alternanthera in sun or shade.
- Just like as a houseplant, alternanthera has better color in the garden or container gardens when it gets more light.
- Water regularly to keep the plant from wilting.
In the garden, it thrives with about an inch of moisture a week; in container gardens, it benefits from watering every day or two in hot weather. Please note: Alternanthera is not intended for consumption by humans or animals.
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What conditions do red hot pokers like?
How to grow red hot pokers – Grow red hot pokers in moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Cut them to the ground after flowering and keep the roots dry in winter. Divide in spring to propagate new plants and reinvigorate existing clumps. Growing kniphofias: jump links
Where to grow kniphofias How to plant kniphofias How to care for kniphofias How to propagate kniphofias Growing kniphofias: problem solving Red hot poker varieties to grow