Help! Stems turning black

Help! Stems turning black#418321

By nmarch911 -  Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:56 pm
Posts:  4
Joined:  Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:41 pm

- Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:56 pm #418321

Hi all! I can't figure out what's going on

. Many of my plants have begun to blacken the stem (not a trap). In the photo is a pot with my the weakest plants

. What would you think if you saw this? What should be checked? What could it be? The conditions have not changed recently.

Plants 3 years old, grown from seeds.
Soil: peat, perlite, quartz sand 40/40/20, transplanted in May, Ph 5.5.
Sun 4-6 hours. Humidity I don't know, I think it's low.
I don't see any insects, except for a few Sciarids (midges), they have never interfered before.
I water the plants once a week. I check the moisture of the soil with a "moisture meter".

Thanks!

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Re: Help! Stems turning black#418323

By Camden -  Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:16 pm
Location:  Upper VA, U.S.A - Zone 7B
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Joined:  Mon May 23, 2022 9:25 pm

- Tue Aug 16, 2022 1:16 pm #418323

Do they live on your windowsill? Is the water you use rain/distilled/RO/low ppm water? Dormancy is a must have for VFT along with the proper water.

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Re: Help! Stems turning black#418328

By nmarch911 -  Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:00 pm
Posts:  4
Joined:  Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:41 pm

- Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:00 pm #418328

Yes, they always grew on the window. I use distilled water, I buy it. They were at rest this winter and last. Could it be sunburn?

Re: Help! Stems turning black#418329

By Panman -  Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:05 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6398
Joined:  Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:41 pm

- Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:05 pm #418329

Sunburn is red. They look like they are planted too deeply to me.

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Re: Help! Stems turning black#418333

By nmarch911 -  Tue Aug 16, 2022 5:47 pm
Posts:  4
Joined:  Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:41 pm

- Tue Aug 16, 2022 5:47 pm #418333

Panman, maybe you're right. I'll consider a transplant.

Re: Help! Stems turning black#418335

By ChefDean -  Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:21 pm
Location:  Clarksville, TN
Posts:  9364
Joined:  Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:44 am

- Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:21 pm #418335

Yes, they appear to be planted too deeply, but I think the bigger issue is that they are not getting enough light. VFT's need direct sunlight, glass filters sunlight, so that windowsill can get sunlight all day long and it won't be enough. If they've been on that windowsill for three years, they've received enough light to slowly grow to this point. But now that they're of size, it's not enough. Lack of light and lack of a proper dormancy for three years, they're now slowly dying.
They can be saved, it's not too late. If you do repot them I would suggest you get them outside in direct sunlight. Normally I would suggest the tough love approach; put them outside straight away. The existing leaves will sunburn and die, but the new leaves will grow out acclimated to the new conditions. However, yours might not pull through that method. You'll need to slowly transition them into direct sunlight over a period of a few weeks.
Your plants will be in much better shape after they get their basic needs met, which isn't happening at the moment.

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Re: Help! Stems turning black#418380

By nmarch911 -  Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:19 am
Posts:  4
Joined:  Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:41 pm

- Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:19 am #418380

ChefDean wrote: ↑Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:21 pm Yes, they appear to be planted too deeply, but I think the bigger issue is that they are not getting enough light. VFT's need direct sunlight, glass filters sunlight, so that windowsill can get sunlight all day long and it won't be enough...

ChefDean, thanks a lot! Now I understand why they remain at the same level of growth. I'll come up with something to place them outside the window. I will monitor their condition and gradually accustom my VFT to sunlight.

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