Yes, you're right - the one on the left is the one that looks like it is suffering the most. The other two have grown and bushed out a little already from when they got planted so I think they're now good to go.
The one on the left though maybe didn't settle after planting? It remained smaller and now is all droopy and dry.
The advice has been to chop it all the way down - should I cut even the main stems? Or leave the big ones taller?
I'd cut the one on the left down to about a foot. Main stem in particular, as that will encourage side growth too. It's very hard to see how many stems it has from the photo, but you can nip back any side shooting stems too - just take them back to a good joint.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Good evening. I’ve been recommended this forum by my mother in law and came across this fantastic thread. I’ve read all the posts and some great information.
I bought 100 of these bare roots 6 weeks ago from Hedges Direct and planted immediately. I followed their advice of 25cm between plants which I see from advice here that may be too close now. The soil used to have conifers planted so I replenished with topsoil and manure and treated the bare roots with RHS root grow.
We have had a month of dry weather but every few days I ran a hose pipe for around 20 seconds over each plant. Recently they have turned yellow and the leaves are falling off on many of them. I read this can be one of three things, over/under watering or lack of magnesium so three days ago I treated with Epsom salts, approx 20g and one litre of water per plant and placed a handful of fish bone and blood meal and watered well.
any advice would be greatly appreciated as I feel this could be a costly problem to have to replant.
Hi guys, so I bought and planted new Laurel to replace the old line which had died (earlier in the thread).
Now I am desperate for opinion on what this discoloration might mean - could it be a lack of water or too much:
It's in exactly the same place as before, despite coming further away from the wall and increasing the size of the bed by removing grass. I used compost and BFB when planting, also soaking the roots. Have since cut them down too! Bark went down yesterday, after the plants have been in situ for approx 2 weeks.
Should I water more often? Less?
Thank you! Anthony
Edit: to refresh your minds this was my original post -
Hello all - and wishing you a safe and well bank holiday.
I read this 26 page forum topic last night with great enjoyment, enough to prompt me to sign up and present my own case of Laurel struggles.
For background, we purchased our house last year and decided to order 30 2-3ft Laurel plants from Gardening Express for £180 - we planted them in the front garden in an 'L' shape (late September) to provide some privacy from the road and our semi-detached neighbours.
Unfortunately, 60% of them are dying or already dead and we've absolutely no idea why. When compared to the other 40% which are coming on nicely and probably due a cut. They are planted in the same soil, and received the same care. They have lost all leaves, turned brown and feel brittle. The scratch test also shows no green. Could they have been a bad batch?
Our neighbours grow strawberries in their front garden on the other side of the wall - could this be having any impact instead?
Keen to get your thoughts and advice - should I order another replacement batch (assuming they are well and truly lifeless)?
As an aside, and to come a little later - we are looking for some inspiration in our back garden to plants along the fence line. I'll come onto that a little later in the forum
Hello, I'm hoping you can all advise me on my newly planted laurels. They've been in since last Friday from pots. I trimmed and watered and used a little bonemeal and fertiliser pellets in the soil. The soil's average to clay but I've turned it and dug through some lighter topsoil. (Bark is on order for the top). So a couple of days in, I noticed a few leaves changing colour, first changing to a pale dusty patch which then turns brown and dry. (Pictures attached). Is that sun scorch, do they need even more water, have I watered them too much, or have the plants got an underlying issue I should raise with the supplier? Thanks for your help.
anthony.harvey, they don't look worrying. Most likely scorching from either chemicals or watering over-head whilst the sun is out. Always water directly into the roots and not overhead, and to minimise damage to leaves, try to water in the evening or early morning before the sun is up. You will also conserve water too. Keep on top of the watering. Any badly affected leaves, just prune out. With the warm weather, they will start to put on growth soon.
emmajones2212, not to worry too much about leaves turning colour. Many reasons for that, from stressed conditions to excessive feeding. I think, the most important thing for you right now, is water...Keep on top of it as planting in this weather will be stressful for most plants,and shrubs can take a while (months) to settle down.
Looking at your soil I can almost assure you, it is unlikely of any over-watering. Water a bucket each plant when it is this warm. Watering daily and dropping off to every 2nd to 3rd day when it cools a bit next week. Will need to do this throughout the summer months into the autumn monts where you will modify the watering if more rain has been forecast. Think about getting some bark chip mulch to help seal in the moisture. Also keeps the roots warmer in the winter time.
I'd agree with @Borderline's advice and replies. Normally - this would be an excellent time of year to plant anything, but the hot, drying weather [and wind] has made it more difficult. Laurel is extremely tough though, and as long as watering is kept up as appropriate, they'll come away as soon as the weather cools a bit. Watering really early in the morning, or later at night is beneficial too - it means it's less likely to evaporate in the heat of the day.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks Borderline and Fairygirl. My gut reaction was they are a bit stressed after all the upheaval and the full sun they're in and exposure to quite a stiff breeze. I've got some bark on order but getting a supply at the moment is difficult. I've been watering every other evening and the soil around them tonight is still damp from last night's watering. So I'll top them up early in the morning instead. Will be installing a 'holey hose' as I've got 35m to look after.
Posts
The one on the left though maybe didn't settle after planting? It remained smaller and now is all droopy and dry.
The advice has been to chop it all the way down - should I cut even the main stems? Or leave the big ones taller?
Thanks
It's very hard to see how many stems it has from the photo, but you can nip back any side shooting stems too - just take them back to a good joint.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
any advice would be greatly appreciated as I feel this could be a costly problem to have to replant.
Thanks Mark.
Now I am desperate for opinion on what this discoloration might mean - could it be a lack of water or too much:
It's in exactly the same place as before, despite coming further away from the wall and increasing the size of the bed by removing grass. I used compost and BFB when planting, also soaking the roots. Have since cut them down too! Bark went down yesterday, after the plants have been in situ for approx 2 weeks.
Should I water more often? Less?
Thank you!
Anthony
Edit: to refresh your minds this was my original post -
So a couple of days in, I noticed a few leaves changing colour, first changing to a pale dusty patch which then turns brown and dry. (Pictures attached). Is that sun scorch, do they need even more water, have I watered them too much, or have the plants got an underlying issue I should raise with the supplier?
Thanks for your help.
emmajones2212, not to worry too much about leaves turning colour. Many reasons for that, from stressed conditions to excessive feeding. I think, the most important thing for you right now, is water...Keep on top of it as planting in this weather will be stressful for most plants,and shrubs can take a while (months) to settle down.
Looking at your soil I can almost assure you, it is unlikely of any over-watering. Water a bucket each plant when it is this warm. Watering daily and dropping off to every 2nd to 3rd day when it cools a bit next week. Will need to do this throughout the summer months into the autumn monts where you will modify the watering if more rain has been forecast. Think about getting some bark chip mulch to help seal in the moisture. Also keeps the roots warmer in the winter time.
Normally - this would be an excellent time of year to plant anything, but the hot, drying weather [and wind] has made it more difficult.
Laurel is extremely tough though, and as long as watering is kept up as appropriate, they'll come away as soon as the weather cools a bit.
Watering really early in the morning, or later at night is beneficial too - it means it's less likely to evaporate in the heat of the day.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
My gut reaction was they are a bit stressed after all the upheaval and the full sun they're in and exposure to quite a stiff breeze. I've got some bark on order but getting a supply at the moment is difficult. I've been watering every other evening and the soil around them tonight is still damp from last night's watering. So I'll top them up early in the morning instead. Will be installing a 'holey hose' as I've got 35m to look after.