Wilting plants
Leaves and stems that droop, caused by too little water, too much water, heat or root and stem diseases.
Also known as: Wilt, Drooping
Symptoms and identification
Leaves and shoots droop or hang limp and may curl. In simple drought, plants perk up quickly after watering. If plants stay limp in wet soil, or wilting is sudden and on one side only, the cause is more likely to be root rot, wilt disease or pests.
Causes
Underwatering and hot, dry or windy weather are the most common. Overwatering and poor drainage rot roots so they cannot take up water. Fusarium and bacterial wilt, root-knot nematodes, stem borers and root damage cause wilting that does not respond to watering.
Organic treatment
Test the soil with a finger 5 cm deep. If dry, water slowly and deeply and shade for a day. If wet, stop watering, improve drainage and check for rotten roots. Remove plants that do not recover and bin them.
Prevention
Water deeply and less often rather than a little every day, use a free-draining mix, mulch, and rotate crops. Check roots, stems and the soil when a plant wilts.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
No chemical treatment helps until the cause is known. Confirm whether it is a disease or pest before any treatment.