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Kilmarnock willow

jan.lawsonjan.lawson Posts: 19
in Problem solving
The tree is in a large planter and earlier this year I took it out of the pot, trimmed back the roots and put it in new compost. It did well. Then last month all the leaves turned brown and fell off. I wondered if it was early autumn for it as we had a very early spring. Then all new leaves appeared and now I wonder if I will have to cover it when winter arrives. Have I or the weather confused it?

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It's had a shock and some funny weather so, as it is a willow and therefore thirsty, make sure you keep the roots moist and it should cope and do normal leaf fall in autumn.

    Be aware that these plants are grafted onto a rootstock and tend to be short-lived and can die suddenly so avoid stressing it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree - stressed, and probably needing a lot more water than it's had. They aren't really great pot specimens anyway, and ideally need to be in the ground where they can access moisture more readily.

    Be aware too that, as you've root pruned it, and it's had that bit of stress, it may struggle a bit, and then send shoots up from the original rootstock. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jan.lawsonjan.lawson Posts: 19
    If it was spring it would look as if it was thriving.  We have had a very dry year and I have tried to keep it watered.  I would love to plant it in the ground but our houses were built on quarried land and there is about 5cms of soil before compacted clay.  I will keep watch.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    In hot periods it will need 5 or even 10 litres a day cos those things have a lot of foliage all transpiring water all day.   I suggest you have a go at breaking up the compacted clay - it can be done with a pick axe and/or a mattock and by piling on thick layers of well-rotted manure every autumn. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • jan.lawsonjan.lawson Posts: 19
    A digger didn’t make an impression and I’m sure I don’t have enough years to make the ground plantable. It’s a rented house and a container garden and there’s a limited budget. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    In that case, more water and more water.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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