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Salix flamingo

StorminStormin Posts: 51
in Problem solving
Hi have a Salix
 flamingo tree in a large container but branches look quite sparse. Would it be ok to cut branches back to new growth now ( end of May)? Had it couple of years now. Thanks
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's most likely to be suffering from drought. They need huge amounts of water, especially in a container. What kind of medium is it growing in?
    A photo would help if you can manage one  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • StorminStormin Posts: 51
    Hi thanks for reply. Will try sending photos. There are lots of nobbly bits (buds?) On branches - will these come into leaf later?🥺
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Possibly  :)
    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
    Almost cetainly not enough water. Is the pot big enough, could be the roots have nothing to grow in? I would look to see if pot bound. Yes a photo would be good.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • StorminStormin Posts: 51


  • StorminStormin Posts: 51
    My salix flamingo
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It's a willow.  They like moist ground and thrive on the banks of streams, ponds, lakes, rivers.   

    In a pot, it's likely to be under watered and have very dry compost which will take a while to rehydrate so try putting a saucer under its pot and watering it thoroughly.   The saucer will allow it soak up any excess as it needs it and then, when the saucer is dry, you'll know it needs water.

    Having said that, if you can get it in the ground and well -established it will manage perfectly well after.  I've seen them here - frequent droughts and high temps - often planted as mid lawn specimen trees and they do fine as long as they are well-watered for the first 2 summers of life in the ground as that gives them time to get their roots down deep.  Just don't plant it near any water or sewage pipes.

    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
  • StorminStormin Posts: 51
    Thanks everyone.  Will try putting large saucer under pot. Haven't really got anywhere to plant it in ground but will give it a good trim early next spring  and maybe get a bigger pot. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It needs a loambased compost like John Innes No 3 with the addition of a bit of multi-purpose.  The compost in the pot doesn’t look loam-based to me … also when you repot it’d be good if you can leave a couple of inches free at the top so the pot can be filled with water that can then soak in. 

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





  • StorminStormin Posts: 51
    Thanks for info. Think it started off in John inner but been topped up since with ordinary garden compost. Will repot next spring in larger pot and John Innes no.3 plus a light prune.😊
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