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Ceanothus / california lilac - dry, yellow leaves

bluegreenredbluegreenred Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Hi all

I am really struggling with a Ceanothus / california lilac bush, about 1.5m tall. The leaves have turned yellow from bottom up and inside out and feel dry to the touch. They also fall off very easily.

At the top, there seems to be some growth and green leaves.

The plant gets plenty of sun and the soil is loamy with a PH of 6. The plant was planted about a month ago, and has been watered almost daily. There is no wilting, and the leaves feel really dry, so I don't think it is related to overwatering. Rather, it may be struggling to absorb moisture.

I recently added manure around the plant - so perhaps something to do with this.

Any advice on how to save this plant, and what it might need?


Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a very large shrub to be planted a month ago, just as conditions are getting warmer and drier. It's perfectly normal that it would drop foliage.
    If the area was properly prepped before planting it shouldn't have needed anything added to the soil, although if the manure wasn't fresh, it probably won't do much harm.

    When you say you're watering daily, how much? Ideally, you'd water it with a couple of bucketsful, and do that a couple of times a week. Watering every day, if not done properly, can do more harm than good, as it keeps roots near the surface, rather than encouraging them downwards. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Ceanothus are one of those awkward plants where it could be down to over or under watering causing the yellowing.
    The fact that your soil is loamy makes me think that the manure was not really needed, and personally l would remove it if you can. 
    If you gave it a good watering when it was planted, l certainly wouldn't water it again for around a week (unless you're in an exceptionally dry area).  This gives the roots a chance to settle and start finding their way out into the surrounding soil.

    It may well be that you will loose all the yellowing leaves as l'm pretty sure they won't green up again (although l'm happy to be corrected), so you may have to consider pruning in the future. 

    Which variety of ceanothus is it and whereabouts are you in the UK ? (just a general location will do).
  • bluegreenredbluegreenred Posts: 4
    AnniD said:
    Ceanothus are one of those awkward plants where it could be down to over or under watering causing the yellowing.
    The fact that your soil is loamy makes me think that the manure was not really needed, and personally l would remove it if you can. 
    If you gave it a good watering when it was planted, l certainly wouldn't water it again for around a week (unless you're in an exceptionally dry area).  This gives the roots a chance to settle and start finding their way out into the surrounding soil.

    It may well be that you will loose all the yellowing leaves as l'm pretty sure they won't green up again (although l'm happy to be corrected), so you may have to consider pruning in the future. 

    Which variety of ceanothus is it and whereabouts are you in the UK ? (just a general location will do).

    Thanks! While the soil was loamy, it really didn't retain any moisture. I am in Surrey and it's the Santa Barbara type.

    Fairygirl said:
    It's a very large shrub to be planted a month ago, just as conditions are getting warmer and drier. It's perfectly normal that it would drop foliage. 
    If the area was properly prepped before planting it shouldn't have needed anything added to the soil, although if the manure wasn't fresh, it probably won't do much harm.

    When you say you're watering daily, how much? Ideally, you'd water it with a couple of bucketsful, and do that a couple of times a week. Watering every day, if not done properly, can do more harm than good, as it keeps roots near the surface, rather than encouraging them downwards. 

    Thanks for the feedback! The manure wasn't fresh, it was proper composted farmyard manure. The soil was very dry and needed organic matter.

    I certainly didn't add buckets of water, just a good sprinkle.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    The only other thing l can think of is possibly transplant shock, but that's a bit of a long shot.
    I did come across this, which l don't think is a UK site but there's a fair bit of information there which might help.
    https://havegarden.com/why-my-ceanothus-dying/

    Not sure about the rainfall situation in Surrey, it has been very dry in the South West up until the last week or so and l've had to water newly planted stuff.
    I'm sorry I can't be of more help, fingers crossed someone might have a more definite answer.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    bluegreenred said:


    I certainly didn't add buckets of water, just a good sprinkle.
    Almost certainly the problem is not enough water in the early weeks. A sprinkle does no good at all - any new large shrub needs a deep drink as @Fairygirl described (a couple of buckets or large watering cans full, poured slowly onto the soil at the base of the plants so that it soaks in and doesn't run off), twice a week, or more if the weather is dry and warm or windy. Wind is very drying to plants even if it doesn't feel warm to us, and we had a lot of it through April and early May, and hardly any rain. The foliage doesn't need to be wetted when you water - it doesn't do anything for the plant.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • bluegreenredbluegreenred Posts: 4
    Thank you all - looks like it may be best to try and remove some of the manure/compost carefully and make sure the roots get a good soaking. Then leave the plant to do its own thing and hopefully it comes back
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I wouldn't bother removing the compost unless it's just a topdressing/mulch layer that can be scraped off. You don't want to disturb the roots.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes -  a sprinkle is no use. Good, deep watering, a few times a week is needed, right in at the base. No need to move the manure, as @JennyJ says   :)
    Even in a wetter area, that would need consistent watering until well established. Any shrub, or plant, which has a dense canopy of foliage needs checked regularly, because rain  can't always get through it easily. A big specimen is far more vulnerable than a smaller one.  :)

    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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