Beginner in plant care - my plants are dying?

forgiven · #1 October 13th, 2007, 10:28 AM

I have an indoor fern. All the fronds have turned greyish green and have completely dried out. I have tried water, but the soil is now growing white fuzz (mould? overwatering?). I live in an apartment which is fairly bright, but not a lot of direct sunlight. I put it up in front of a window, but perhaps this is too cold? I have used those little green fertilizer sticks in the soil, but perhaps overdone it....Help! The pot is big enough. The plant looked dead this summer, but with fertilizer it grew a beautiful new frond.

Also, I have a baby pomegranite tree which stands about 3 inches high above it's little plastic container. It was doing well, but has quickly lost all its leaves. I think I may have overwatered it to try and revive or save it because the trunk had a bit of white fuzz growing on it, which I took off this morning. Could the change in weather be affecting my plants as well?

Appreciate your feedback.

**Liz** · #2 October 14th, 2007, 05:30 AM

Is it possible your water has some sort of chemical in it they don't like. We have ferns here growing in quiet boggy creek areas. You might also have some sort of bug that likes indoor plants. I can't remember them (don't have indoor plants) but one I think is white and fuzzy.

Liz

seedling · #3 October 30th, 2007, 01:15 AM

Can you identify what species of fern you have?

Most houseplants require very little fertilizer, and then only when healthy and actively growing. Fertilizer spikes are not the best method of administering fertilizer because they cause "hot spots", high concentrations of fertilizer that can burn plant roots.

forgiven · #4 October 31st, 2007, 05:46 PM

Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately, it is too late for my fern :( I think you were right about the fertilizer sticks because I can completely pull out the center of my fern (don't worry - it's dead), while the whole base remains in the pot. I don't think this is a good sign. Burial is pending...
Thanks for your concern :)
I'll try again...

seedling · #5 October 31st, 2007, 06:36 PM

Awww, so sorry your fern didn't make it! I'm sure your experience with this one will be useful for your next attempt. Don't give up - we all started the same place - at the beginning! :)