Wilting Nasturtium

Transplanting

• Nasturtiums are one of those flowers whose seed packages are often marked "Easy to Grow." The seeds are big as garbanzo beans and germinate readily and rapidly, about a week after planting, making them a top recommendation for children and beginning gardeners. But wait until frost danger has passed and sow these seeds outdoors. If you plant them indoors with the intention of transplanting when spring arrives, you may have problems. Nasturtiums don't transplant well; those indoor starts may wilt and die when moved to an outdoor location.

Too Little Water

• Desert gems are not the only types of drought-resistant plants and nasturtiums are included in the club, according to experts at Oregon State Extension. But this does not mean that you should avoid watering nasturtiums, and those that need water and do not get it will wilt. The frequency and amount of irrigation depends on the soil and the weather. Generally, weekly watering is sufficient, but potted plants dry out more quickly. If you see your plants' pretty heads drooping, your first reflex should be to touch the soil.

Too Much Water

• Too much water will also cause nasturtiums to wilt, but you don't have to haul out the measuring cup at watering time. The kind of excess irrigation that results in wilting is generally a result of getting out the hose too frequently -- once a week is often sufficient -- or planting the flowers in the wrong soil. Nasturtiums grow best in sandy, well-draining soil with low fertility. If the soil is heavy and holds water, the plants' roots die, the leaves discolor and the stems wilt.

Clubroot

• If your wilting nasturtiums grow in acidic soil that does not drain well, they may be suffering from clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae). Curiously, this disease is most common in gardens where mustard-family plants like broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) have grown. The first signs of this disease appear below the soil with knobby swellings on the roots, but eventually the plant itself will yellow and wilt. If this looks like your problem, plant in a different bed next year and regulate irrigation.

Verticillium Wilt

• If your nasturtiums have Verticillium wilt, it may comfort you to know that they are not alone; the fungal disease attacks more than 300 varieties of plants including trees, shrubs and annuals. The spores of the fungi spread within the plant until the plant's vascular tissue becomes clogged. With water uptake limited, the nasturtiums wilt and die. Fungicides are not effective against this disease and you are better off planting in another part of the garden. Generally, nasturtiums are resistant to this disease and should be low on your list of possible suspects.