"why are my plant's leaves curling"
google result: "it's probably one of four simple things:
* too dry
* too wet
* too much light
* not enough light"
@molly0xfff ah - this is like webmd. when you have a symptom, and no matter what it is, webmd is like "go make out your will now"
@molly0xfff 🤣 Plant doctor google is proving the effectiveness of AI! It's going to rule us all!!!!
@molly0xfff There's another one and it's getting far too common: Potting mix or compost made from something with persistent herbicide residues.
@molly0xfff Thank goodness we will soon have LLM search systems to make all of this disappear.
@molly0xfff drafts from central air, distressed because it was moved recently, soil isn't well draining, put some rocks underneath the dirt so water doesn't pool / rot, root rot (the worst),...
@molly0xfff Had this happen to a kokedama of mine, those things are super fragile! I almost lost it before realizing it just wanted to be outside, despite needing low light... 🤷
@molly0xfff Would have been more concise if it just replied with 🤷♀️
@molly0xfff right now my avocado which has just enough water, not too much, not to little; still has two leaves that are as limp as though I had forgotten to water it in a month.
The struggle is real.
@molly0xfff I love my peace lillys as they'll basically tell me when they need water. Between them and Devils Ivy I can't think of an easier houseplant.
@molly0xfff Bing: Too dry.
Me: No.
Bing: I apologize for the confusion. Too wet.
@molly0xfff My $10 soil moisture meter has made the biggest difference in my plant health. Highly recommended.
@molly0xfff they could also be participating in an Olympic sport.
@molly0xfff Try setting it on fire. Won't fix the wilting but at least you know what the problem is.
@molly0xfff Most big box fertilizers don't include calcium. Calcium deficiency can cause leaf curl on new growth.
@molly0xfff Depends on the plant, dunnit? Too wet for a cactus can be too dry for a Venus Flytrap...
@molly0xfff Have you tried growing tomatoes yet? Its all four of those things at the same time.
@molly0xfff
Might be a deficiency.
Might be an aphid infestation.
@molly0xfff Its usually more useful to look up the needs of that specific plant and compare the with what you are doing (for example, If its a plant from a dry place that grows in the open, it can’t be too much light and if the soil wasn’t totally dry for days its also not too little water). My guess is that it’s also in general not too much light this early in the year and you can check for too much water by looking at the roots, if its too much water they should be somewhat rotten
@molly0xfff I’m not a new plant owner anymore and I still struggle with this constantly
@molly0xfff too little fertilizer or too much fertilizer, just in case you needed more options.
@molly0xfff “Have you tried turning it off and on again?”
Google is being kind. More info is required.
Plant are everything not animal. A bit better, it has leaves. Not an animal, or rock, has leaves is still a bit lacking in specifics Problem is barely rectified with plant species. Need specific environment as well. Genetics vs, environment, or know both.
After obtaining all of the detail, the problem is often still too much or too little - ask a real-life gardener or botanist.
File under, "If you're sick, see a doctor".
Be well.
