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Wilting
EnvironmentalMedium impact
Plants are drooping or losing vigour. Most commonly caused by water stress but can also indicate root damage, vascular disease, or heat scorch. Identifying the cause quickly is important as some causes are serious.
Currently in peak season - extra vigilance worthwhile.
Key facts
- Type
- Environmental
- Active season
- Apr - Oct
- Peak season
- Jun - Aug
- Vulnerable stages
- Sown · Transplanted · Growing · Harvesting
- If confirmed
- Act now
Signs & symptoms
- -drooping, soft, or limp foliage
- -loss of firmness in stems or leaves
- -plants not recovering fully after the coolest part of the day
Management
Do now
- -Check soil moisture first - water thoroughly if dry
- -If soil is wet, suspect root rot or a vascular disease rather than drought
- -Shade plants temporarily if wilting during extreme heat and soil is moist
Further reading
- -Wilting is a symptom, not a disease - check soil moisture first (the most common cause), then consider root health, vascular infection, or heat stress
- -Plants may wilt in midday heat even with adequate soil moisture; this is temporary and resolves in the evening - only act if wilting persists into the evening