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Solanum dying?
madpenguin
Posts: 2,543
I have a Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin' which seems to be dying.A branch died off earlier this year and I cut it off but the one remaining stem is going the same way.
Any ideas as to what has gone wrong and can it be saved?
Last year it was really wonderful and covered the whole arch..
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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Your plant looks very fine. Is it only 2 years old? It does look like you've chopped the main branch down to the soil. This is a very severe cut for such a young looking plant. Maybe it wasn't dead but just going through the winter die-back? When did you notice it looking like it's dying? In some areas, Solanum Crispum 'Glasnevin' will lose all of its leaves due to the cold. This is not unusual as it's semi-evergreen in some areas, and others, all the leaves can die off.
What sort of aspect and area do you live in? Temperature and the type of soil may also affect its survival chances. This plant will probably just about survive minus Five if conditions are sheltered and soil not heavy and waterlogged. The colour of the leaves suggest feeding is needed. Maybe cut it down to half its size and feed it. See if the leaves turn more green.
The plant is 7 years old,has been fed and watered and seemed to be doing OK yesterday.Noticed it looking like this today.
It looks young but last year was a mass of branches.
The part I cut off was definitely dead and did so quite quickly,before that it was in full leaf and budding up nicely.
It is south facing and on the Isle of Wight where we had a mild winter.It has gone through hard frosts in previous winters.
It is just so sudden which surprised me.
This is it 3 years ago and it has grown a lot since then:-
Last edited: 26 May 2017 23:21:42
They do seem to do this sometimes - or at least, mine did. However, lots of baby suckers popped up and it was as big as before in twelve months. It copes with the low temperature but doesn't like cold wind and we have had some very chilly winds on IW recently.
Thanks,I will live in hope of new suckers!!
Madpenguin, that is a lovely picture of your Solanum growing over an arch. I agree with Posy, just wait a bit now for possible suckers. If you are living in Isle of Wight, it's very unlikely it has died due to temperatures and I can see from your magnificant pictures it's planted in quite sheltered areas.
Cutting it down so low will probably take time for it to rejuvinate. But the obvious one about temperature has been eliminated. Put lots of mulch around the base and water only if it's extremely dry and wait. This plant seldom suffers from disease it was probably stressed. On the original photos, unless I'm mixed up, there looks to be a small plant growing right by its root area. What is this? Might be best not to have plants zapping its water and energy at a time like this. Just a suggestion.
Last edited: 27 May 2017 11:46:35
The plant at the roots is a Sedum,not deep rooted at all and has been there for some time.
Should I cut back some of the bits that have now died do you think? If so should it be down to the stump or just shorten the stems a bit?
The roots of the Solanum should be fairly deep as the soil was raised about 3 inches a couple of years ago and last year was the best it had ever been.
Last autumn the whole bed was covered with well farmyard manure.
I think the only thing I did differently this year was to not cut it hard back early on.
I shall continue to keep an eye on it and hope for the best!
Sedums are fine. I wouldn't cut them down too harshly as it's still possible that from branches left, normally new leaves start to form from the so-called dead branches. Just cut to an area where you see another side branch. I could never tell what constitutes as dead wood. Someone once said, if the internal wood is pale and not black it is stll alive.
Last edited: 27 May 2017 13:42:21
I live in Glasgow Scotland and my Solanum Crispum Glasnevin is about 4 years old. The first 2 years were fine and it thrived but this year it has deteriorated to just a few branches, sparce leaves and only a few flowers. What can I do to revitalise my ailing plant. Thank you
It's hard to say as it could be the soil being too wet. Wind damage and temperatures. But there is no harm in cutting it down so the plant can start to rejuvinate again. Work in lots of good compost or thick mulch around the base. They don't like heavy damp soil. If you have that type of soil, it might be a good time to dig in compost, or leaf mould to open up the structure.
Thank you I'll try that.☺