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Euonymus dropping leaves

steven.g.garnersteven.g.garner Posts: 133
in Plants
hello all. Our euonymus has been planted for Around 4 months now. It hasn’t grown an inch in that time, despite its surroundings doing well. I have noticed a huge amount of lead drop, and also some leaves turning pink... any ideas what’s up / what I’m doing wrong?!?






Posts

  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Euonymus can show that pink colouration with no ill effect to the plant. Evergreens do shed some of their leaves in spring but if it's still doing it then it's unhappy. Some thoughts as to what's going on:
    What was the rootball like when you planted it? Was it so pot bound the roots can't get out into the soil?
    The bark looks very wet - is it possible you have over-watered it? 
    Could you lift it to see what's going on with the roots?
  • steven.g.garnersteven.g.garner Posts: 133
    hi @rachelQrtJHBjb I’m so sorry for the delay I completely missed your response! I think the plant is rootbound. I actually lifted it today and replanted in a sunnier space, the base was still perfect pot shape. Should I tease them out???
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    If the roots are going round and round in that pot shape, then yes, tease them out a bit.  Make sure the rootball is moist, too - sometimes the original compost dries out, and subsequent watering just wets the surrounding soil without soaking into the root area.  If you find that it's dry, submerge it in a bucket of water until no more bubbles of air rise from it.  
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • steven.g.garnersteven.g.garner Posts: 133
    @Liriodendron great - thank you! 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I find they are really slow to get started when first planted, then they suddenly get going. Just wait and let it settle in, it should be fine.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    Rightly or wrongly I always ‘massage’ the rootball before planting.  I tease the actual roots and also scratch off some of the compost, especially from the base and around the top edge.  I’ve never killed anything doing this - in fact plants seem to ‘get going’ sooner.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    @Liriodendron is right - no matter how much you water, a dried out rootball on planting can often stay like that for a considerable time, and even something as easy as Euonymous will struggle. Always makes sure a plant is thoroughly moist when planting - regardless of what kind of plant it is. :)
    There's been numerous comments on the forum this year about lavender for example. People make the assumption that because it likes a drier environment, they can just not bother watering it. Big mistake. 

    The pink edging is normal, as already said, on that variety.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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