Curry leaf tree dies
Maheen
Posts: 7
Hello,
I always have problems when trying to grow curry leaf trees that are brought back from Pakistan.
In Karachi, they thrive in full sun, sandy soil and humid conditions. So I thought that by imitating that, it would allow them to thrive in the UK summer since it has been quite nice and hot. I transport them in a damp towel and they still look healthy once I'm ready to transplant them. I usually dip them in a rooting hormone powder in hopes that it'll help.
I used a mix of sand, grit and compost to give them a fast draining soil. However, all plants shrivel up, turn brown/black and die quite quickly.
I have read countless forums and there are so many different opinions, I just don't know what to try next.
I have a single plant that has survived from 2 years ago but the growth is very very slow and it often turns black and has to be cut back. It is not only 5cm tall but has new shoots starting emerge but most of the new growth is also going limp and black.
Any ideas of what I'm doing wrong? Or what I need to change?
Thanks in advance
Here is an example of the plant that looks least dead.
Posts
This is the one from a couple of years ago:
But most have lost all leaves and look like this:
Are you bringing them back in soil with roots, or as cuttings? Cuttings need to be shaded until they have formed roots. Bringing in plants in soil could bring all sorts of diseases into the country.
No soil, just the stem and what looks like a little bit of the roots.
It is illegal to bring any plant into the UK from outside the EU without a Phytosanitary Certificate - this is to prevent the spread of pests and diseases which, although they may seem insignificant in their country of origin, may cause devastation to British native plants and agricultural crop.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=435
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Guys, after declaring that I had brought back plant stems from outside the EU, I went through customs at London Heathrow airport who then cleared it before I came home. Considering its nature, quantity, intended use etc, if it wasn't allowed then I'm sure they would have confiscated them immediately, but they didn't.
So if anyone has any advice on how to look after them and stop killing them, please let me know.
Curry leaves are often bought on the stem, here and abroad and they're dry. Can you get some seeds and try propagating it from that instead?
You can buy them here:
https://citruscentre.co.uk/products/indian-curry-leaf-plant?variant=22745532615
Your soil looks more stony than gritty so you might wish to try a different mix to grow your plants.
Interesting suggestion, that's something I haven't tried.If it's allowed to be imported, this will probably be my next step. Otherwise, places like Amazon, eBay or maybe even a garden centre may sell UK certified plants/seeds that I can have a look into.
This will probably be my next step, but I will have to make some enquiries and see if it's allowed or not before bringing anything back.
Otherwise, places like Amazon, eBay or maybe even a garden centre may sell UK certified plants/seeds that I can have a look into. I will ask my local garden centre tomorrow. Thank you
Thank you for the link and the advice. I'll change the soil and see if that helps.
If not, I can try again with a plant from the website you have given