Leaf drop out of nowhere

[jbauer999]

https://imgur.com/a/wYLHFls

I made a post earlier last week about leaf curl, and due to the plant getting a bit large as well, I decided to repot it into a 5 gallon container. I used a soil from Home Depot that supposedly had coco and perlite along with other additives and a lower amount of nitrogen compared to other soils (Black Magic potting mix). I also decided to move it outside, as the temperature difference was kinda big but not awful I hope (Indoors 75F, outside ~85F) but my grow light wasnt sufficient and sunlight is free. For the first two days, the plant looked okay out there, the only thing of note was a relative accidentally knocking off a new branch with three leaves, but even after it looked fine. I came home from work today to see this and Im very worried. I might seem very attached but I view this plant as my child and Im low key freaking out, Im sorry if I sound pesky but I appreciate all help.

 

[CMJ]

Looks like nitrogen burn to me. Could be some overwatering as well. Did you harden it off when you moved it outside, or just straight into the sun?

 

[solid7]

Looks like nitrogen burn to me.

What part of that says nitrogen burn to you?  That would be, literally, unlike any nitrogen surplus damage that I've ever seen. (and I'm the guy who says never draw down nitrogen levels on a fruit bearing plant)
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It looks to me like a plant that was doing marginally well, then got overwatered.  Hence, "sudden" leaf drop.
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You're not in any danger zone with pre-mixed potting mixes.

 

[CaneDog]

Sorry to see your plant in tough shape.  If I understand correctly that you moved it from a light inside into direct July sunlight outside without any adjustment period you should move the plant out of the sun (it appears you may have already).  The temperature delta of 75 - 85 isn't the concern, it's the intensity of the sunlight which is much greater than the inside lighting and which will likely do significant damage. Do a forum search on "hardening off" and there's a lot of information available on how to safely transition indoor plants to the outdoor sun.  Moving it outside without hardening it off immediately after transplanting may exacerbate the damage (or may not, if done carefully).
 
Good luck!  

 

[luvmesump3pp3rz]

as others said above the plant can`t go from indoors to full july sun suddenly. it should go into a shady spot for a few days and then gradually get increasing amounts of direct sunlight per day for another week or so. preferably and hour of morning or late afternoon sun. after this it will tolerate full sun. move your plant to a semi shady place and it should be fine.

 

[jbauer999]

What part of that says nitrogen burn to you?  That would be, literally, unlike any nitrogen surplus damage that I've ever seen. (and I'm the guy who says never draw down nitrogen levels on a fruit bearing plant)
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It looks to me like a plant that was doing marginally well, then got overwatered.  Hence, "sudden" leaf drop.
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You're not in any danger zone with pre-mixed potting mixes.

Its weird you say that bc I stopped giving it a lot of water since ik it was overwatered in the past and I didnt really want to give it any unless the soil was almost parched. I havent watered it since moving it into the new pot, but it has been kinda humid out. The soil at a fingers depth and at the surface dont seem damp either. Maybe its just stress from the sun?

 

[jbauer999]

as others said above the plant can`t go from indoors to full july sun suddenly. it should go into a shady spot for a few days and then gradually get increasing amounts of direct sunlight per day for another week or so. preferably and hour of morning or late afternoon sun. after this it will tolerate full sun. move your plant to a semi shady place and it should be fine.

Looks like nitrogen burn to me. Could be some overwatering as well. Did you harden it off when you moved it outside, or just straight into the sun?

Sorry to see your plant in tough shape.  If I understand correctly that you moved it from a light inside into direct July sunlight outside without any adjustment period you should move the plant out of the sun (it appears you may have already).  The temperature delta of 75 - 85 isn't the concern, it's the intensity of the sunlight which is much greater than the inside lighting and which will likely do significant damage. Do a forum search on "hardening off" and there's a lot of information available on how to safely transition indoor plants to the outdoor sun.  Moving it outside without hardening it off immediately after transplanting may exacerbate the damage (or may not, if done carefully).
 
Good luck!  

I havent really looked into hardening it off, but I might of had the right idea: the first day out it stayed mostly in the shade and I put it outside around 4pm so the sun wasnt blaring down at full intensity but definitely more light than a grow lamp. The second day it stayed the morning in the shade and then moved it into the sun after 2ish (sunset is around 8-8:30), and the third day it experienced full sun. It was around 85-88F those days too, even though temp might not really be making a difference.

 

[CaneDog]

Good thinking to do that, but what you did for 2 days should take a good 7-10.  I would expect damage from that abrupt a change.

 

[jbauer999]

Good thinking to do that, but what you did for 2 days should take a good 7-10.  I would expect damage from that abrupt a change.

Makes sense, would you think there is any hope of this plant ever growing large or should I expect it to be stunted permanently after this amount of damage?

 

[CMJ]

Good thinking to do that, but what you did for 2 days should take a good 7-10.  I would expect damage from that abrupt a change.

Exactly. It can take up to two weeks for me to harden off in April-May. I imagine it would be even tougher to do it in mid-July...

 

[solid7]

Its weird you say that bc I stopped giving it a lot of water since ik it was overwatered in the past and I didnt really want to give it any unless the soil was almost parched. I havent watered it since moving it into the new pot, but it has been kinda humid out. The soil at a fingers depth and at the surface dont seem damp either. Maybe its just stress from the sun?

 
It could definitely be shock from not being totally hardened off, but usually the leaves get all thin and droopy before they fall.  They look like they're almost melting, and seem like they're going to go transparent.  Overwatering lead drop is very "sudden" (your word) and happens with little to no signs.

 

[Masher]

Hardening off is a slow process taking 2 weeks at best.

Especially going into full sun 85*

The tip of the plant looks fried and burnt off in place (the tine growth and flower buds)

The rest looks like classic sun scald/burn.

Put it back in the shade for 2 to 3 weeks, it can be saved.

Like solid said, that's not nitro burn.


How often are you feeding it? Max strength?
It would appear to be suffering from more than just light burn?

 

[solid7]

It would appear to be suffering from more than just light burn?

 
It looked to me like whatever happened with the leaves was secondary.  Overwater or compacted media that happened before this.
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That plant looks like it hit a wall, as far as healthy growth goes. Problem A.  Then, problem B happened. 

 

[CaneDog]

Makes sense, would you think there is any hope of this plant ever growing large or should I expect it to be stunted permanently after this amount of damage?

 
It will slow it down somewhat, but the plant should be fine. The roots hold a lot of energy and should remain strong.  I'd suggest reintroducing it to the sun more gently and considering the other suggestions above that might also apply - just doing (or continuing to do) the right things with watering and everything else. 
 
Damaged leaves usually continue to look worse, so don't let that give you the wrong impression about the plant's health.  You should focus on the new growth at the tip and growing laterally from the leaf nodes, which should be a healthy green.
 
Post pics when it starts looking happy again!

 

[Doelman]

you stressed the plant out too much by transplanting it and putting it outside at the same time, without hardening it off.  It'll be fine, you've just stunted it's growth for a little bit.  I usually do a full week of hardening off in late April, I would give it at least week and a half to two weeks in July.  You are in NY though, maybe up there a full week would still be good in July, 2 days is way too short regardless.