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Thirsty Gunnera Manicata

TedBTedB Posts: 13
in Problem solving

Had this plant for very many years...it has been moved a couple of times.
It has now moved from a 2' 6" diameter tub in 50% shade to an open 6' x 4' bed.
Our soil is fine sand and doesn't retain water.
In the current 'no rain' months (Suffolk) it needs daily watering.
What can be mixed in the soil for a long term water retention solution?
Have read about Vermiculite and various composts but don't know the environmental implications.
Any advice Please.


Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    You need a bog garden.  This can be created by digging a deep, wide hole and lining it with plastic - old pond liner or overlapping flattened compost bags then piercing with holes to allow, but reduce, drainage.   Refill with your own soil mixed half and half with fibrous, moisture retentive matter such as garden compost, spent MPC compost, new MPC compost then replant.
    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
  • TedBTedB Posts: 13
    I did line with plastic underneath to about half the depth overall...forming a basin underneath.
    I'm guessing I didn't put enough compost in in the first place.
    Thank you.


  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Can you get hold of some soil with a bit more ‘substance’ ?  Maybe from High Suffolk where I’m from … I’m guessing you’re further east … probably over t’other side of the A12?

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





  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    These plants grow in boggy soil or actually in shallow water. Yo will need to create those conditions if it is to thrive.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We have 3 plants. One is in a raised area and always gets hit by the frosts, another is in a sheltered area that is soggy (still gets the frosts) and the last one is in an area that had been dug down into the clay...and this one does the best.
  • TedBTedB Posts: 13
    We live in the NW corner of the county and a wire plant support can be pushed into the ground 3 or 4 feet in one easy movement!
    The poor quality image shows it some 20 years ago.


    The lower image was posted by mistake but I can't remove it...another little hiccup on the site!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You can edit your posts for the first hour after posting ... click on the cog wheel at the top right of your post ... then place you cursor and backspace ... or select and cut.  

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





  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Ah, so not the coastal heathland ... more like the Brecks.  We're on very free-draining gritty loam here south of Norwich so I do know something of what you're dealing with ... there's no way I could consider growing a Gunnera here ... much as my OH would love one  ;)

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





  • TedBTedB Posts: 13
    Thank you for the comments.
    Will try and mix in much more material as suggested.
    I did in fact click preview and it gave an 'Edit' option but I'll know better next time!

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