I have two Crotons, which are now either dead or dying, and I have no idea why. The leaves on the smaller one started to curl a bit, then a lot, and within a week or so it was dead. That was about two weeks ago. A few days ago my other Croton started to go limp, and I fear it may be on it's way out too. I'd had the smaller one for about a year, and the larger one for about 5 years. I've never had any problems with either. I've done nothing different with their watering, and they're in the same location they've always been. The larger one even flowered for the first time this summer. Any idea what's going wrong?
Crotons look dry, or over-watered to me. If the watering and light is ok, could be spidermites, or mealies. Like indoor ivy which I like, but will not buy, crotons are known for being a spidermite magnet.
Thanks for your reply. The watering is fine, and there are no pests to be found anywhere. The small dead one started to curl, and look as though it was too dry when it really wasn't. The bigger limp would also seem to be dry, if just judging by it's looks alone, but it's not. I wait until the top few centimetres are dry before watering - in my dry apartment, that's a couple times a week. They're being watered the same amount and frequency as they've always been. I'm at a complete loss here as to what's going on. As I said, nothing has changed with watering, light, location, and there have been no shocks to them. It's been about a year since they were last repotted Very strange and sudden. ????
I know it can be frustrating when a plant suddenly takes a nose dive and you don't know why... If your not seeing any pest, mites, or tiny webs, the problem is probably in the roots if the plant wasn't in the cold at any time. Either they dried out, or they are rotting. I'd take a look at them and see if you can see any problems there.
The potting medium under the first one looks dust dry, the second could be on the damp side. This is the kind of thing where someone with a different perspective could put their finger right on the problem in each case if allowed to examine the carcasses - and review the cultural history of each one with you in person. It could also involve pathogens, like bacteria or water molds that are not easily seen.
Thanks Bluewing and Ron. As to the photos, you're right Ron about the dryness/dampness. However, the dry one is dry because I stopped watering it when it was obviously dead, but kept it to take a photo of, and the still living one I had just watered a couple hours before taking the photo. If it's a root problem, what would I be looking for? I've never looked at roots other than when repotting, so am not sure how to tell if something is wrong with them. Would repotting in new soil help? If it's some sort of bacteria or mold, how would I tell that? Is it something that can be seen? Thanks again for your help.
