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Sarcococca not growing

desinteesdesintees Posts: 3
in Problem solving
I have two Sarcococca, both in large pots, one Is doing very well, other has stopped growing and has some leaf curl. No loss of colour but leaves have fallen, I repoted it a couple of months ago thinking that might help, but no help at all. It just seems to have become dormant ?   Purchased at the same time, quite a few years ago. Thank you in advance for any advice.

Posts

  • desinteesdesintees Posts: 3
    Hi, thank you for responding, both my plants are in a shady place and well watered. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm not sure they're particularly suited to pot culture. Hard to keep them moist enough to encourage good growth and root development. I kept one potted for a while, and it never thrived, despite our climate here.  It grew rapidly once planted out and was much healthier too.  
    Have you got a photo though @desintees ?  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • desinteesdesintees Posts: 3
    Will try to post a photo, not to good at this stuff !! Will also have a look at the roots today. Thank you.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @desintees They have a strong root system with lots of fiberous roots. I recall digging one up where the root ball was bigger than the plant it's self, so I agree I think they like alot of space.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They aren't fussy as to soil pH, but they would need to be in a soil based mix in a pot, not just compost, so that could be a factor too.
    Anything shrubby needs that to thrive, as compost doesn't have enough weight to it long term   :)
    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
    @Fairygirl Hope you are OK up there with the weather. My bro is working in the Highlands.

    @desintees They also like a sheltered spot. You can have two pots close to each other but one may still be affected by a cold wind.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    No we're fine thanks @GardenerSuze- it's the north east which has had a double whammy . They wouldn't normally have the amount of rainfall there because the weather comes predominantly from the west. The last one didn't affect us that much here, but Argyll and further north copped the worst [as per the norm] and it then tracked north east, and now they've got this lot from the east. A very, very rare situation. 
    This one has really been no worse for us than any other rough weather we would expect at this time of year. Drier, but a bit windier than the last one.  Hope your bro is ok. He won't be seeing too much unfortunately! 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    @Fairygirl says not suited for pot growth. They are slow to get going even when they are in the ground but then they take off. A great plant with lovely scent and worth planting out if you can.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I kept one in a pot for a couple of years but it's doing much better now that it's planted in the ground, in a fairly shady spot.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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