Angel Trumpet

[DinaJean]

I have 3 Angel Trumpets in different locations. 1 has bloomed profusely so far, 1 is starting to from buds and one is just existing. The last 2 had yellow leaves a few*weeks ago, so I added some coffe grounds (nitrogen) in hopes of greening up the leaves. It worked after about a week, the leaves greened up nice and have been fine since. UNTIL....we had a heatwave all week this past week (temps of 102 average). They got regular water via ME...leaves were still fine. Well, last night it POURED, and it rained steady all AM today. I took a look at all my plants this morning and my AT leaves are yellow again. Seems like overnight because I know they were not like that yesterday before the rain. Is this possible? Did the rain leech out all the nutrients? What could be wrong and what can I do to fix it? ANy suggestions would be greatly appreciated! All my other plants seem fine, just the AT's that are being weird.

Dina :)

[Newt]

DinaJean, you are so lucky to have had rain.* We're still in drought conditions here in Maryland.* The grass is crunchy when you walk on it and I see many trees and shrubs suffering everywhere.*

I think you are very correct about the lack of nitrogen being the cause of the yellowing due to the watering and then heavy rain.* This site has some great info about fertilizing Brugmansia aka Angel trumpet.* The English is in green.
http://www.abads.net/nutrition/Nutrition.html

Newt

[DinaJean]

Thanks for the link. It makes me feel happy that I am learning stuff! I havent got over to the property to fertilize again, but I did drive through and the leaves are green again already on their own, but I will still go give them a shot of coffe grounds regardless.

Noticed the Swamp-bay Magnolia has had the same effect. Maybe from that rain also. Is that why people call a hard rain ACID rain? What exactly is ACID rain, does anyone know? I can probably just go google that one I am sure.

*

[Newt]

Glad you found that info helpful!* Good question about acid rain though that is not to blame for the yellowing.* It's the excess rain washing the nutrients out of the soil.* That's why it's important to add organic matter to the soil, both as an amendment and a topdressing.*

Here's a site I googled about acid rain.
http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/acidrain/2.html

"The extra acidity in rain comes from the reaction of air pollutants, primarily sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, with water in the air to form strong acids (like sulfuric and nitric acid). The main sources of these pollutants are vehicles and industrial and power-generating plants."

Newt