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Kilmarnock Willow turning yellow

lesleywmU65roHlesleywmU65roH Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hi, sorry if this is already covered, but can't find this specific question..I bought a Kilmarnock Willow early this year (cheap from Tesco, that's why, not really something I'd seek out exactly..) and it's been doing really well.  It's in a good sized container and I  water it regularly; now however there are a lot of yellow leaves in the middle of the tree, and it's increasing at a fast rate.  Too much/not enough water? Something else?  Worth trying interventions?  As I said, not a plant I'd pay a lot of money for, but it does a nice job of providing a bit of height amongst the pots..  Any advice gratefully received..

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    What sort of compost is it in?  Salix need a lot of water and modern multipurpose composts dry out very quickly … I would put it in John Innes No 3 loambased compost with a few handfuls of multipurpose mixed in. 

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





  • lesleywmU65roHlesleywmU65roH Posts: 10
    Hi, and thanks..
    I use a peat-free compost called New Horizon; I'm not a compost expert, but it seems heavier than the common stuff, I rather like it.  The tree is in a 16" square heavy plastic container, it was in the garden already when I moved  here - the container I mean!

    I do water frequently, and from the bottom rather than top as the foliage is quite thick.  If it was a houseplant I'd think it was due to overwatering..to be honest, I don't like to see anything die and will do what I can, but it won't be a tragedy if I lose it, and it cost a tenner, so no more than a posh bunch of flowers, really..I'd just like to know why it's going yellow for future reference..

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    It's a willow - hard to over water but easy to under pot and under water.   Get it in the ground if you can but be aware that these are short-lived, grafted trees that fail after a few years and for no apparent reason.

    I was given one as a gift years ago and dutifully planted it out and nurtured it but it was dull, boring and took up loads of space with no compensation in the form of interesting foliage/form/nark.   Can't tell you how pleased I was when it turned up its toes one year.

    Gardening friends actually bought one for themselves and nurtured it but it too keeled over at about 8 years old leaving a handy planting space for interesting subjects.

    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
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It won't last long in a small container with compost @lesleywmU65roH . It needs to be in soil, and a big enough container [if it has to be in one] so that the water it gets stays there long enough to be of any benefit   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • lesleywmU65roHlesleywmU65roH Posts: 10
    Thankyou for your advice; I think the poor thing will have to be thrown under the bus, as 'twere..I'll see if my friend with a huge garden wants to offer it a home, but I certainly don't have the room in my very limited borders for it, I don't like it enough!
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