Why Are My Flowers Dying?

Flowers die naturally due to age or prematurely from pests or drought.

Flowers are living structures that need proper food, water, light and temperatures of varying combinations, depending upon the type. Take away or imbalance one of these necessities and your plant will begin to die.

Nutrients

Different flowers need higher or lower amounts of nutrients including phosphates, nitrogen or potash. If the surrounding soil doesn't contain enough nutrients, either organic or commercial, the plant cannot sustain blooms or reproductive processes.

Pests

Plants that have been subjected to high heat and drought can weaken, which allows pests and disease to take over. Some species of pests, such as the borer, will burrow into a stem and cut off the life support system of budding or blooming flowers above.

Disease

Disease or viruses can find their way to flowers by insect transmission. Some insects have sucking mouth parts and will carry a virus from a sick plant to a healthy plant, causing the flowers and the plant to eventually die.

Considerations

Review the types of flowers you intend to plant to be sure you are choosing the right location and adding the right supplements to the soil. Monitor existing plants for transmittable disease and lurking pests that can ruin a garden.

References

• Ohio State University: Common Insects Attacking Bedding Plants and Perennials