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melianthus leaves

highamhigham Posts: 4
in Problem solving
My melianthus has plenty of leaves but (unusually) some are now a maroon colour rather than green.  Any idea why?  If there is a problem, what should I be doing?  Thanks
Anne H.

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I wonder if it's possibly due to frost damage, or even just very low temperatures. 
  • highamhigham Posts: 4

  • highamhigham Posts: 4
    That's quite possible.... should I remove all the leaves showing this colour?  There's quite a number that have this maroon/purple around the edges. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Got to be honest,  l am no melianthus expert !
    You may find more information here 
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/84304/Melianthus-major/Details

    Or hopefully someone who has more experience can advise  :)
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    There is a purple variety ("Purple haze") so it's possible that yours has produced a purple sport (there's the capability for purple in its genetics). If the leaves look healthy other than the unusual colour and you like them, then you could leave them on. If that part of the plant stays purple you could try propagating it and see if you can get a whole plant that colour.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • highamhigham Posts: 4
    That sounds more hopeful!  I'd begun to wonder if it was going to turn up it's toes on me.... I'd waited a dozen years for flower but moved it about two years ago from a part-shady spot and thought it was invigorated - thus flowering.  I'll leave well alone and see what happens.  Thanks for the insight about a purple variety.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Unfortunately the purple variety does not look anything like that. It is just a very faint purple tinge.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Mine got battered to b*ggery so I had to cut them to the ground. 
    Fingers crossed they bounce back.
    Devon.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Up here in the North, I cut mine virtually to the ground each Spring and it grows away just fine. Not sure about this year though, as it sat under water for several weeks.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    punkdoc said:
    Up here in the North, I cut mine virtually to the ground each Spring and it grows away just fine. Not sure about this year though, as it sat under water for several weeks.
    Fingers crossed for us both then eh? 
    Mine split apart right at the base so I had to cut it right down.
    Devon.
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