Greetings, caretaker. We are your lupines, and while we strive to stand tall and show our vibrant flower spires, sometimes our physiology is challenged. When you see us wilting, drooping, or curling our leaves, it is our primary language of distress. Please interpret our signals correctly so you may provide the right aid.
Our most immediate and common plea is for water. Our root systems, though decently deep, are not invincible against the drying sun and wind. When the soil moisture depletes too rapidly, our internal water pressure (turgor pressure) drops. This is the physical cause of our wilting and drooping; our stems and leaves simply cannot stay rigid without adequate hydration. The leaf curl is a further attempt to conserve water by reducing the surface area exposed to the elements. Before you assume disease, please check the soil an inch below the surface. If it is dry, we require a deep, thorough watering at our base, avoiding our foliage to prevent other issues.
Paradoxically, your well-intentioned overwatering or poorly draining soil can cause similar above-ground symptoms. We require well-draining soil; we despise having our roots sit in constant moisture. In waterlogged conditions, the oxygen in the soil pores is replaced by water, and our roots begin to suffocate and die. This rotting root system can no longer absorb water or nutrients, no matter how much is in the soil. Consequently, we will exhibit wilting and drooping that looks identical to underwatering, but the soil will feel consistently wet. This is a critical condition. You may need to improve drainage around us or, in severe cases, carefully lift us, trim away the rotten roots (which will be brown and mushy), and replant us in a better-drained location.
Sometimes, our distress is not from you, but from tiny invaders. Aphids and spider mites are particularly fond of our succulent new growth. They pierce our leaf tissues and suck out the nutrient-rich sap. This direct loss of fluids can cause leaf curling, yellowing, and a general droopiness or lack of vigor. Furthermore, their feeding can introduce viruses and leave behind a sticky residue (honeydew) that fosters sooty mold. Please inspect the undersides of our leaves regularly. If you find these pests, a strong spray of water can dislodge many of them, or you may use an appropriate insecticidal soap.
While we adore sunshine, excessively intense heat, especially when coupled with low humidity and drying winds, can overwhelm our natural cooling systems (transpiration). We may curl our leaves to minimize exposure and lose less water. In extreme cases, the sun's intensity can literally scorch our leaf tissues, causing brown, crispy edges and wilting. If we are planted in a location that receives the brutal, afternoon sun, we might struggle. Providing some light afternoon shade or ensuring our moisture levels are perfectly maintained can help us tolerate the heat.
A less common but devastating cause of rapid and severe leaf curl and wilting is exposure to herbicide drift. These chemicals are designed to disrupt plant growth processes. Even minute amounts carried on the wind from a nearby application can cause us to contort and stunt in unnatural ways. The damage is often systemic and irreversible. If you suspect this, there is little to be done for already affected growth, but ensuring we are well-watered and fertilized may help us try to recover by producing new, healthy growth.
