Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Plants collapsing outwards

NikonPhilNikonPhil Posts: 31
in Problem solving
Many of my perennials have collapsed from the center outwards (Asters, Day Lilies, Lupins etc.), effectively leaving a gaping whole in the center of the plant - anybody know why this happens, how I can prevent it?

Phil

Posts

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    edited August 2018
    The only time my lupins did it was when the beast hit. It looked like it sat on them. Most tall perennials need a bit of support. Google plant supports and see what you can find. You can make your own if you're keen! 
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/5436/plant-supports-for-perennials
    Have a look here.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    If you have large clumps and have not divided some for many years, they can open up in the middle. Different perennials collapse for different reasons. A big storm can flatten plants. Also plants that have grown so tall in a short time can also collapse outwards.

    Staking early on in the year to prepare for their growth helps certain plants that grow tall stay upright. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I thinit's mainly just what they do at this time of year. The middles are also short of water after this summer. As the others, say staking is the answer. I find the metal half hoops of different heights help a lot and are easiest to put in.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    Also if their dry it can happen - lots of plants need staking
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Quite a few of mine are pretty floppy and not old enough to need dividing yet. I have had a series of torrential rainstorms though, but also my first attempt at staking was pretty dismal so I’m going to invest in better stakes and try and do it better next year.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
Sign In or Register to comment.