This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Cotinus grace damaged by wind - is it done for?
Hello,
I've been growing a cotinus grace cutting in a pot with the aim of planting it out this autumn. Last night it was badly damaged by the high winds and has split right at the base stem. See images below.
It looks like it might be done for, but do you think I could salvage it at all?
Thanks for any advice,
D
I've been growing a cotinus grace cutting in a pot with the aim of planting it out this autumn. Last night it was badly damaged by the high winds and has split right at the base stem. See images below.
It looks like it might be done for, but do you think I could salvage it at all?
Thanks for any advice,
D
0
Posts
As you already have the plant (and, therefore, not much to lose) I would try knitting the two bits back together. I've done it (successfully!) with a large broken branch on a photinia.
You'll need somebody to hold the exposed edges firmly together while you bind the whole thing up. I think I used insulating tape because that was to hand (and speed is of the essence) and it's also very slightly stretchy and waterproof. I think I left in place for 6 to 9 months. During that time the plant knitted the split together.
Depends how you feel about it really. The plant may always have a weakness in quite a critical place so I wouldn't rely on it as an important focal point shrub..
If you're like me and just want to see what happens I'd give it a go! Bind it, splint it if you can, put it in a really sheltered spot and generally give it lots of TLC. Maybe put it in a bigger pot and leave it until next year before planting out.