Help needed Please

[Rosefriend]

I have a standard Prunus L. "Otto Luyken" in a 100 litre tub which always used to look like this.



Well this year after the mild winter that we have all had, it wasn't very happy after a little frost but I am used to that and know that the leaves fall off and then everything is OK.

So it looked like this.



However things have got worse and worse and although it has flowered with more flowers on than I have ever had, it looks to me as though it is on it's last legs.

I have watered it, fed it - everything as normal. Can someone tell me what has happened please?







Thanks a lot.

RF

[Plocket]

Have you over-watered it in compensation for the weather you've been having?

[Spruance]

Could it be that it has exhausted the nutrients in its pot RF?

A general liquid feed might remedy the situation.

[4pygmies]

Oh dear, what a shame. When did you last repot it RF? I think it might benefit from a serious pruning back and some new soil. I would cut of all the remaining flowers and the damaged leaves and hope for the best. Kill or cure!

[Rosefriend]

Thank you all.

Well I have fed it as normal and watered it - however I feel that my neighbour could have had a helping hand in it as he tends to water whenever he feels like it and loves to help me so if I am not careful a plant gets double water.

Having said that, I am careful. I haven't taken it out of the pot yet as it is damn heavy and I can't do it alone.

I shall take a photo of the roots and they show you all. If there is a chance then fine, if not then my next question is easy.

What do I plant in a 100litre tub?

Thanks again

RF

[TeeGee]

The first thing that came in to my mind when reading your request was;

Is it 'pot bound'?

I will wait to see the picture of the root system.

Personally I would have thought if you are going to all the trouble of taking it out of its pot to photograph the root system I would re-pot it in new compost.

Tease the old soil (if any) out of the root system, prune out old or damaged roots prior to re-potting.

By the way I would wait until it has finished flowering before I did this.

[Plocket]

rosefriend said:

What do I plant in a 100litre tub?

That's easy - lots of clematis!!! ;D

Seriously though - I hope the plant is ok.

[Rosefriend]

Well Plocket - just in case - how many could I get in there?? ;D

Rf

[andy]

Ok RF....a few observations. Firstly, if it was overwatered, the whole plant would die. Over watering is a problem that very few plants recover from as it kills off the roots due to oxygen deficiency.

If it was due to being pot bound, i don't think the plant would've gone like that so quick. Pot bound and starved plants tend to go pale gradually but rarely lose leaves like that. Similarly, if a plant was frosted....pretty much all the leaves would be affected.

So that leaves underwatering. Could it have dried out at all ?....i know the pot is massive but it could be possible.

As for a remedy....Laurels respond well to severe pruning. I would cut it back as hard as you would like to....but don't be frightened to really go for it.

Once it's cut back, give it a feed and watch for drying out. Feed it weekly with a liquid feed throughout the growing season and hopefully, it'll respond well.

Good luck

[Plocket]

I've no idea how much 100 litres is! What is the diameter of the pot? A good rule of thumb is approximately 20 inches diameter for one clematis, that will grow to approximately 6 - 10 ft - something bigger requires even more room. So if the pot were 40 inches in diameter, I'd guess you could put three or four in

[Rosefriend]

Once again thanks to you all - as soon as it stops raining I will endeavour to get it out of the pot and see what the roots look like.

RF

[Rosefriend]

Well it has stopped raining long enough for me to have a look at the roots of the Laurel.

It is fairly obvious what is wrong - it is pot-bound and other wise as far as I can see healthy.



I have taken your advice andy and cut it right back - seems a little drastic but I will find somewhere to plant it in the ground and see what happens.



RF