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Chinese Witchazel

MillarificMillarific Posts: 28
in Problem solving
I planted Chinese Witchhazel in a pot using ericaceous compost as I was advised. The plant did not flower over winter, I kept it well but not over watered. This spring it was showing some signs of distress with some leaves turning dark brown and falling off. I have not given it any feed, should I mulch in the pot. I gave it a very light prune to remove some remaining dead leaves. It does not seem to have grown at all.
I am wondering whether I used the correct compost, it is only in a 14" pot, should I repot using a larger deeper pot with a different compost mix. Should I give it a good feed and if so what should I use.
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Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Assuming you mean hamamellis mollis, I'd expect to buy one in almost that size of pot and plant it up into something bigger to grow on before planting out in the ground so I expect yours is hungry and thirsty and may well have had very cold, if not frozen, roots thru winter.  No wonder it's stressed.

    If you can't plant it out in the garden I suggest you treat it to a much bigger pot and use half and half John Innes no 3 ericaceous compost (loam based so good for drainage) and Levington's or MPC ericaceous compost which will retain moisture but also be lighter for you to move around.   Stand it on pot feet in winter to make sure it doesn't get water.   

    Use only rainwater not tap water and never let it get thirsty.  Planting media have enough fertiliser for just 90 days so you'll need to add extra slow release fertiliser every spring and use an occasional liquid feed for roses or tomatoes thru the growing season to encourage flower formation and healthy foliage.

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/8246/hamamelis-mollis/details-beta 


    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
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Hammamellis do not need acidic soil, they just need not to be alkaline, so ordinary JI 3 will be fine.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    True, just needs to be neutral but ericaceous helps if in a pot with alkaline tap 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
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Or do you mean Loropetalum Chinensis? Often called Chinese Witchhazel. Do you still have the label?  I have several dark purple Black Pearl ones in pots, one about that size. I find them very sensitive to PH, otherwise the leaves fade to brown then a horrible dirty green and look leggy and scrappy. They do much better in full ericaceous. They cope with occasional hard tap water when I don’t have any rain, but rainwater is best. If it is a Loropetalum, some varieties are less cold-hardy than others so you might have one of the tender ones that has been got by frost.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    That's why I asked @Nollie.    Loropetalum is much less hardy than hamamelis  - https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/245955/Loropetalum-chinense-var-rubrum-Fire-Dance/Details 
    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
  • MillarificMillarific Posts: 28
    many thanks for your reply I confirm it is Loropetalum chinense, I think I will leave it where it is for the moment as I don't want to give it more stress, thank you for the advice regarding rainwater, I will give it some fresh ericaceous around the top two inches and give it a good feed with tomato feed which I think should help.
    I am most grateful.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    According to the RHS info it's not bothered by the acidity or alkalinity of its soil so I would urge you to re-pot in a larger pot using some good loamy compost so it gets the drainage it needs and has room for root growth.  It won't mind tap water either but will appreciate an occasional addition of liquid rose or tomato feed in the water.

    Keep it in a sheltered spot to protect it from cold winds and frosts and make sure it gets an annual feed every spring and enough water thru the growing season.
    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
  • MillarificMillarific Posts: 28
    many thanks for the additional advice which I will follow, I am most grateful.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Real experience says different 😊 

    Acid:


    Alkaline:

    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    That's quite a difference!   Same amounts of 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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