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Wilting plants

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Problem solving
Several of my perennials are wilting today, leaves and flower stems hav gone floppy. Is this because it's a really warm, sunny day (they're in South facing border)? The soil is still moist so I don't think I need to water them. 

Many thanks. 
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Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    What type of perennials are they ? Have they been recently planted ?
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Cirsium, Allium (leaves) and some Foxgloves which state online they can tolerate sun. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I suspect they've not made quite enough rootgrowth to pump moisture all the way up to the soft new growth which as you say, is transpiring a lot of moisture in the sun  ... at this time of year the rate of top growth sometimes outstrips that of the roots.  As long as the soil is moist I wouldn't worry too much ... I think they'll sort themselves out.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Phew, that's great, thanks. The Cirsiums have been planted for two years but the Allium and foxgloves were indeed planted this year. 
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Sorry to drag this thread back up but just to ease my mind, if my plants wilt during the warm days but recover by the morning, that’s just a sign of transpiring of moisture? I read vine weevil grubs can cause wilting so a little bit anxious now as there are vine weevils in the garden unfortunately.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you can gently pull on a plant and it's firmly wedged into the ground, it isn't vine weevil. A plant which has been eaten by the grubs, will have little or no root, and will easily pull out of the ground   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Wildlifelover I think if your plants are wilting and recovering by morning there is not too much to worry about although some rain would help! Everything wants to grow at the moment and there is alot of soft growth that can often appear floppy, however drowning young plants with a big can of water can be just as much of a problem.
    Vine Weevil grubs cause the total collapse of a plant or plants with no recovery. Heucheras and Primulas are two of their favourites, especially in pots. You can come across a total infestation  but a plant that is wilting from heat or drought is much more common.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks both, I’ve just been out and the plants that had wilted have perked up again now it’s cooled down. I did gently pull on all the ones that wilted and all are stuck firmly in the ground thankfully. 

    Some rain would certainly be welcomed, seems an age since we had anything worthwhile. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Wildlifelover I don't want to tempt anything but although I see the odd adult V Weevil in my garden it isn't something I get too concerned about. I have seen a heuchera in a garden that has completely collapsed with vine weevil and another a few feet away untouched. If you do grow alot of plants in pots it is important to carry out good garden hygiene. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I have them here, but on most plants it's aesthetic damage that the adults create.
    The grubs are the problem, and they certainly don't target every plant. Ones in containers are always more susceptible - especially Heuchera.
    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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