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Too early for Acers and Jasmines?
Kai_63
Posts: 81
I have an acer in a large container and a jasmine officinale growing in the ground against a warm wall. We have a south east garden with partial shade (London).
Whilst other plants have started growing again, both the plants above haven't (no fresh leaves)
Neither completely shed their leaves over winter either Should I be worried or is it too early for the plants to grow again?
Thanks
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Posts
I'd have expected the acer to be showing some signs of life by now - usually you can see little nubs where the new leaves will sprout. Even up here, acers are starting to show a little growth like that. Does it not have any at all? It may be a bit dry if it's in a pot. What's the soil like in there? Take a little look and see what you think.
I've no experience of the jasmine, but I expect someone else here can help with that
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you. No sign unfortunately. I think it may be a bit neglected although I did mulch pre-winter. I hope I haven't killed it as the leaves that are there are all old dried up ones. I added some mulch and slow release fertiliser again yesterday with a bit of water.
If it doesn't respond after a month or two, should I give up on it? Or keep feeding and watering?
The Jasmine was well looked after (tomato feeds etc) so hopefully that is just a little delayed...
Last edited: 19 March 2017 12:30:51
The dead leaves on the acer left from last year isn't a very good sign - that could indicate it died before the winter. Acers absolutely hate drying out and often snuff it if that happens which is probably the biggest killer of container grown acers. Don't add fertilizer until you see signs of growth but do water it if the top of the soil goes dry. Fingers crossed on that one.
I think the jasminium officinale is probably just a later starter. Mine are just green sticks at the moment. As long as yours has the same flexible green stems (last years wood) it should be fine. If the stems are all brown or grey and snap when you bend them, then that's a different matter.
Last edited: 19 March 2017 12:42:09
Thank you all. I hope I haven't killed it. Despite being a novice I have managed not to kill anything in three years! I will check the bark and report back.
Is it normal to have some dried leaves on the Jasmine then? Is there anything different I could do this year to make sure it sheds leaves and comes back strong next year?
i titied up my jasmine a couple of weeks ago and removed the old bits of foliage. Noticed yesterday that its covered in leaf buds now, so hopefully yours will start again soon too
Mine is on its last chance this year.....its 4 years old and hasn't produced a single flower ever 
Thanks Pink Lily. I wasn't sure if I should lightly prune or not.
And yes I know, mine didn't produce any last year but it was the first year I'd planted in the ground so thought that might be. Here's hoping for scent filled garden for both of us this year!
Kai, i'd be happy with even one measly flower! mine had been in a pot up until last year too, then I put it in the ground and it still didn't flower, so any advice I give is probably wrong, unless you want a jasmine that grows meters and meters every year and produces an abundance of leaves
Its had a final verbal warning and will just need to wait and see. Good luck with yours 
Thank you. My understanding is that a tomato feed will help it along (I did i briefly at the end of the summer season last year but have started earlier this year) and also that it either focuses it's efforts on leaves when it is relatively young/recently planted.
Who knows though!
Hello
Just reporting back to say the acer is showing signs of life with buds. I think the jasmine is also just about starting now too. I think the garden's aspect may have slowed things down a little (SE but with more sun in morning than afternoon).
Thanks all
Neema