There are several signs to look for when purchasing plants, any sign of stress is bad news. These signs include yellowing or drooping leaves, spots on the top or under belly of the leave, bugs, and roots coming out of the bottom of the pot. There are many reasons for the plant to find itself in such a sad state; it could mean poor care by the greenhouse or nursery professional, it could be a result of bad weather or it could be a weak plant that is prone to problems. Here are some pictures to help you better associate these problems:

Select the picture to learn more about each problem.

Root Bound Plant

Lack of Iron

Burned Leaves

Over Watering

Bugs and Discoloration

Mites on the under belly of an Azalea that cause the leaves to fade.

Aphids

Eggs on the under belly

Black Spot and Iron Deficiency

Virus on the Vinca

When we encounter these problems at the store we treat it accordingly and rarely do we ever have any additional problems. Usually, I see these issues when customers bring in samples from their yards. The best way to keep a problem free yard is to pay attention to your plants. That way when you find a problem it can be fixed quickly. It is always a good idea to bring a sample in a plastic bag to the garden center to get a professional evaluation of your problem.

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