Posted on Sun, Jun. 29, 2008

Q:My pentas get a lot of sun and I water them regularly. However, some plants wither and the stems turn brown.

R.M., Surfside

A: The plants are being over-watered and may have developed a disease. Pull out the dying plants, since they are unlikely to recover. If the plants were diseased, you may not be able to replant with the same plants in the same spot.

Pentas are drought tolerant and need little additional water. Periodically water them until they are established and during droughts if they start to wilt.

If you have sandy soil, nematodes may be a problem. Mulching helps suppress them.