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Kalmia Latifolia poorly?

Andy LeedsAndy Leeds Posts: 518
in Problem solving

I have only slightly acidic soil (6.5-6 pH) but still planted the Kalmia out in early October into moist soil I'd previously dug in well rotted manure mixed with a good amount of ericaceous compost, and a smattering of rootgrow. It's a north facing site which I know isn't ideal but understand the kalmia will take part-shade.

After a couple of weeks I noticed the leaves turning brown and some dropped. Checking last week there are next to no leaves left and one main stem has broken off from the base. I'm hoping it's just 'settling in' to the spot and will burst into life in spring, but was going to ask for reassurance! Can anyone please advise?

Pictures are of initial leaf browning and recent 'not a lot left'.

 

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Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039

    As I am sure you know, it is an evergreen, which suggests yours may be beyond help.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Andy LeedsAndy Leeds Posts: 518
    Dug in well rotted manure 3 or 4 weeks before planting (from local small 'nursery'). Probably about a third by volume with another third original soil and final third ericaceous compost. Didn't mulch at all.



    Tried to plant relatively high as heard needs good drainage - second picture I think shows its 'high' position.



    North facing but sheltered, next to a hedge.



    Finally I bought it mail order from a recognised nursery in Cornwall (not sure of the etiquette regarding naming nurseries here).
  • Andy LeedsAndy Leeds Posts: 518
    Thanks again for the reply.



    Why would burncoose replace if it was the manure (didn't get that from them as I'm 'up north'). Do you think I used too much? Surely then it's my own fault? If I did something wrong then I'd like to know what it was so I can get another and correct my mistakes.
  • Andy LeedsAndy Leeds Posts: 518
    Will try that, thanks. So do you think the one in the picture has 'had it' then?
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    There's life in those stems Verdun. I wouldn't be to hasty.

  • Flowerlover3Flowerlover3 Posts: 219

    I'd dig it up and put it in a pot with ericaceous compost and see if it recovers.

     

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