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.

Laurel wilting

mikeessexmikeessex Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hello

I've read through many very helpful threads on here on the run up to purchasing some 7ft laurels, I've planted these using much of the advice on here and have chopped back 6-8 inches from all stems to encourage some growth.

I planted these about a month ago and 4 have taken really well with healthy leaves, however two of them have very droopy leaves, a small amount that were yellow I pulled off. 

I'm not sure why these 2 look so unwell versus the rest and would appreciate your opinions and help.
«134

Posts

  • mikeessexmikeessex Posts: 10
    Thanks, I've been watering them all roughly the same amount each day (around 3 litres). One thing I've noticed is that with the wilting plants the water drains away from the surface slower than with the healthy looking plants - could that mean too much water?? Just dont want to add to any problem! Thanks
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    I think you’ve answered your own question. It sound like the drainage isn’t as good for these 2 and the roots have too much water and not enough oxygen - anaerobic conditions. Don’t water them for a while then stick your finger in the soil to check the moisture before watering again.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I think you first need to give the ground in the whole area a really good soaking.  3 litres isn't very much and if some is running off, very little will be getting down to the roots.  Try digging a circular hole about 25cm away from each trunk and burying a plastic 1.5l or 2l pop bottle with the bottom cut off, upside down in each hole.  You can then fill the bottles a few times for each bush, knowing the water has gone down to the roots.  You can use the cut-off bottle bottoms upside-down to seal the bottles in the ground, preventing soil falling in and blocking them.  I would then suggest mulching the ground beneath the laurels with bark, which will help water retention and also hide the bottles.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • mikeessexmikeessex Posts: 10
    Slum said:
    I think you’ve answered your own question. It sound like the drainage isn’t as good for these 2 and the roots have too much water and not enough oxygen - anaerobic conditions. Don’t water them for a while then stick your finger in the soil to check the moisture before watering again.
    Thanks Slum, I'll try that out what threw me is that the plants either side are fine.
  • mikeessexmikeessex Posts: 10
    BobTheGardener said:
    I think you first need to give the ground in the whole area a really good soaking.  3 litres isn't very much and if some is running off, very little will be getting down to the roots.  Try digging a circular hole about 25cm away from each trunk and burying a plastic 1.5l or 2l pop bottle with the bottom cut off, upside down in each hole.  You can then fill the bottles a few times for each bush, knowing the water has gone down to the roots.  You can use the cut-off bottle bottoms upside-down to seal the bottles in the ground, preventing soil falling in and blocking them.  I would then suggest mulching the ground beneath the laurels with bark, which will help water retention and also hide the bottles.
    Bob, thanks. I'll give that a try - I wasn't sure if it was not enough water or too much but I'll test per advice above and stick these in the ground- what amount of water should they typically be getting? 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited April 2019
    I usually go for a bucketful every couple of days in any dry weather for newly planted trees or bushes of that size.  It's very hard for such large plants to support so much foliage while also trying to make new roots, so they need tlc for the first 6-12 months.  Do have a dig down and check the dampness of soil near the roots of the poorly ones though.  As slum says, there is a possibility that they are in 'sumps' and sitting in water, but my gut feeling is they are too dry.
    PS: if you use the bottles and find the water doesn't completely drain when you fill them, then waterlogging will be obvious.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • mikeessexmikeessex Posts: 10
    BobTheGardener said:
    I usually go for a bucketful every couple of days in any dry weather for newly planted trees or bushes of that size.  It's very hard for such large plants to support so much foliage while also trying to make new roots, so they need tlc for the first 6-12 months.  Do have a dig down and check the dampness of soil near the roots of the poorly ones though.  As slum says, there is a possibility that they are in 'sumps' and sitting in water, but my gut feeling is they are too dry.
    PS: if you use the bottles and find the water doesn't completely drain when you fill them, then waterlogging will be obvious.
    Thank you sir
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Buying large trees like that seldom works, if they were mine I would cut them back to the middle cross strut of your fence, then give them a good soak. They can’t make a good root system whilst trying to feed all that top growth,  they will be that high again in no time but with much stronger growth . 
    You may like to have a scan through this thread and see what Befuddled achieved by chopping them right back. 
    https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • mikeessexmikeessex Posts: 10
    Thanks for all of the advice, I've now chopped again so almost down to half of their original height (scary!). Also planted some half bottles for watering and noticed that with the withered ones although the ground was very moist the bottles drained very quickly compared to the healthy looking plants.

    Also added some weed proof membrane and mulch around all of the trees with some fish blood and bone beneath.

    Watered the lot and now knackered. See updated pictures below, will update in a couple of months.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    I persist to say that laurel hedges are an eyesore. Pity you went to such hard work for those plants rather than selecting nicer ones.
Sign In or Register to comment.