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Troublesome Choisya

Greenish Fingered GirlGreenish Fingered Girl Posts: 47
in Problem solving
Good Evening Everyone!

i posted about this plant a few weeks back and I’m afraid that it seems to be getting worse. When I bought it it was a lovely green colour with lots of leaves and flowers. Now a lot of the leaves are turning yellow/brown and dropping off and the plant just looks sad and like it’s on it’s way out. Can anyone please offer me advice as I really liked it and don’t want to lose it. 

Many thanks in advance 😃





Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It just looks stressed - the recent heat has possibly caused it, or alternatively, cold drying winds and frosts - depending on how long it's been like that.  Most evergreen  plants will drop some leaves in those conditions - whether well established or not.
    It looks like quite a young plant too - they'll struggle more initially in a border if the conditions aren't ideal. Also, many plants are forced - ie. brought on in cossetted conditions undercover. If they're then planted out and it's a bit cold, it's a bit of a shock for them.
    Did you prepare the soil/planting hole well, water before planting , and keep it well watered after planting? The soil doesn't look too great - a bit heavy. They like quite light, free draining soils best.
    Have you had it long? 
    Sorry for all the questions, but it helps with offering advice/help  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Agree entirely with Fairygirl ; soil looks too heavy . Your plant looks almost chlorotic , that is , in dire need of trace elements . Try Sequestrene or feed with MiracleGro.
    Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' , (a cute name) ; some of the best specimens I've seen are growing in dappled shade in neutral well drained soil .

    As said above , a possible shock to the system and it's adjusting to its new environment .
  • stewyfizzstewyfizz Posts: 161
    Agree with the above. I took a cutting from one of my mature Choisya's. After cosseting it in the greenhouse for a year or so i finally planted it out having kept it outside in its pot for a couple of weeks. It then lost some leaves and looked generally stressed, but a good mulch and feed did it the world of good and its now happy. Its flowered too this year.
    Gardening. The cause of, and solution to, all of my problems.
  • Greenish Fingered GirlGreenish Fingered Girl Posts: 47
    Thanks so much for the advice guys. The soil was prepared before planting, however we really don’t have the best soil here, and we are constantly fighting to improve conditions and not make it so heavy. It’s a work in progress haha! I think we have had it for abit 6 weeks now, I will feed and mulch and continue to work the soil and hopefully it will improve. We have a lot of things growing well which seem to like our heavy soil but sadly this little one isn’t adjusting too well. Fingers crossed, thanks again for your help it is really appreciated as my husband and I are still getting to grips with plants and what works best in what conditions etc! 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I tried moving a happy choisya a few years ago and it sulked and dropped leaves and wasn't having it. In the end I gave up, but I think in the end it's about giving time, patience and some good food. I didn't like mine enough to bother. Good luck with yours.
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