Leucothoe leaf problems.

[debbiem]

I have read so much conflicting advice about my Rainbow Leucothoes. Every one is in agreement that they are acid lovers, but then some say that they like shade, others that they like a bit of sun or dappled shade. I did an experiment and planted both of mine in a large hole filled with ericaceous compost in a shady area. The one on the left received more light than the one on the right, which in the summer is almost in the shade. I've dug both of them up now and put them in pots, as they didn't look as if they were doing well, particularly the one on the right in the shade. Maybe I haven't given them enough time in their new spot but the one worse off for wear has leaves that had turned brown from the tips to the middle of the leaves. Something had been eating it too. I know that these plants have a handsome deep red Autumn colour but this is definitely brown and not looking good. All the red colour they had when I planted them there has since disappeared and they've just gone green.
I've decided then that they do need some light to thrive and keep their lovely red colour.
Anyone have a stab at what could be ailing them from the brownness of the leaves from the tips to halfway across?
I suspect they'll make a full recovery but I'm thinking of putting my Skimmias in their place in the acid pit......

[debbiem]

Thanks for the thread, The witch. I've just gone out in the half light and looked at the bag of compost and I can't see anything on it about loam. It's Irish ericaceous compost which it says can be used for making pockets of acidic compost to plant acid-loving plants in.
The one that did receive some light, the one of the left, actually looks OK, it's going red as it should do, is quite bushy and has a very slight browning on just the tips of the leaves. I'm beginning to think I should have left that one where it was. The other one, however, in the deeper shade, has had a really hard time. The brown on the leaves is definitely browning and looking nothing naturally Autumnal like the other one, it's also very straggly and to cap it all something's been eating it and leaving just a skeleton of leaves remaining. I think I'll leave that one in the pot!
I remember you saying a while ago that plants can sulk in their first year, I remember as I thought that 'sulking' was a brilliant term! ;D I think though that the poorly one is well beyond the sulking stage. :

[debbiem]

It's against a wall under a very large lilac.

[debbiem]

That sounds very possible, and the other plant was just that bit further away and escaped a lot of the beastie attack/demands from the lilac.

[madonplants]

debbiem said:

Thanks for the thread, The witch. I've just gone out in the half light and looked at the bag of compost and I can't see anything on it about loam. It's Irish ericaceous compost which it says can be used for making pockets of acidic compost to plant acid-loving plants in.
The one that did receive some light, the one of the left, actually looks OK, it's going red as it should do, is quite bushy and has a very slight browning on just the tips of the leaves. I'm beginning to think I should have left that one where it was. The other one, however, in the deeper shade, has had a really hard time. The brown on the leaves is definitely browning and looking nothing naturally Autumnal like the other one, it's also very straggly and to cap it all something's been eating it and leaving just a skeleton of leaves remaining. I think I'll leave that one in the pot!
I remember you saying a while ago that plants can sulk in their first year, I remember as I thought that 'sulking' was a brilliant term! ;D I think though that the poorly one is well beyond the sulking stage. :

Could this be the problem? Pockets don't work long term, as the alkaline conditions will leach back in, especially with the rain we had last year. Plants in their ideal conditions will fight off attacks by beasties, so don't think it's that. The witch's suggestion of nutrient problems could be a key, especially again, if alkaline soil was causing a problem.

Keith

[debbiem]

Thanks Keith - I think I'm going to have to accept that anything that's an acid lover is never going to like my soil! What with all the stone already in the ground, builder's rubble and natural limestone, and the walls made of Portland stone(I think), even with the acid pit which is constantly being topped up with more acid compost, and even too with all the Miracid going on the plants, the location's just not right for acid lovers. But saying that, ever the optimist, I might just give the Skimmias a go in the spot though, considering they like it shady. It might just work for them do you think? :

[madonplants]

debbiem said:

Thanks Keith - I think I'm going to have to accept that anything that's an acid lover is never going to like my soil! What with all the stone already in the ground, builder's rubble and natural limestone, and the walls made of Portland stone(I think), even with the acid pit which is constantly being topped up with more acid compost, and even too with all the Miracid going on the plants, the location's just not right for acid lovers. But saying that, ever the optimist, I might just give the Skimmias a go in the spot though, considering they like it shady. It might just work for them do you think? :

I have always been lucky with the gardens we have had, being always either neutral or acid, so always been able to plant rhododendrons etc. I believe there is one for slightly alkaline soils now, not sure of name though, so maybe there is hope for people who have gardens like you.
Skimmias prefer acid conditions, as you probably know, so may not be a good choice either. Why not put up with your conditions and grow something that will thrive and not just survive. Less work surely, as well for you. I would love to grow some pinks, but know I can't, so I except it. The only way really is raised beds or in pots to grow acid lovers in alkaline soils.

Keith

P.s. It's taken about 30 minutes to write this!!! Jennifer called down for a drink, the post came through the letter box, had a few emails come through..... I think you get the drift.

[debbiem]

Thanks Keith - I thought I'd give the acid pit one last shot with the Skimmias but you're right as they would run into problems later.
One good thing about soil like mine is that weeds aren't that keen and we never get overrun with them. Apart from Hedge Woundwort which has lovely flower spikes, grows on runners and is rampant no other nuisance plants are that bothered.
I think it's time to avoid the bargain basement at the GC - no, not avoid it entirely(impossible), but to avoid bringing home the acid lovers, I think there are enough of them in pots here already.

[madonplants]

debbiem said:

Thanks Keith - I thought I'd give the acid pit one last shot with the Skimmias but you're right as they would run into problems later.
One good thing about soil like mine is that weeds aren't that keen and we never get overrun with them. Apart from Hedge Woundwort which has lovely flower spikes, grows on runners and is rampant no other nuisance plants are that bothered.
I think it's time to avoid the bargain basement at the GC - no, not avoid it entirely(impossible), but to avoid bringing home the acid lovers, I think there are enough of them in pots here already.

I can vouch for that. When we come back from 2 weeks holiday, the garden is brimming with thistles all over the place. I do try and get to any before they flower, so no seeds, but always seem to miss one, or do the birds bring them in?

How about something like a berberis in that position, that would be OK, wouldn't it?

Keith

[debbiem]

It would, but I think I'll just leave it now - there are some bulbs coming up in that area and the whole spot's obliterated by the lilac tree in Summer anyway. I was making a wondeful impromptu rockery next to it where I'd piled up loads of debris dug up from other places, with the soil and rubble and a few bulbs but the chickens have seen to that - I just think it's not to be, and it's such a small spot anyway and so subject to attack, I'll leave it. :

[Sleepy]

debbiem said:

Thanks Keith - I thought I'd give the acid pit one last shot with the Skimmias but you're right as they would run into problems later.
One good thing about soil like mine is that weeds aren't that keen and we never get overrun with them. Apart from Hedge Woundwort which has lovely flower spikes, grows on runners and is rampant no other nuisance plants are that bothered.
I think it's time to avoid the bargain basement at the GC - no, not avoid it entirely(impossible), but to avoid bringing home the acid lovers, I think there are enough of them in pots here already.

It is better to have alkaline soil than acid soil as the range of plants available to you is much much greater.

You can always grow the occasional acid lover in a container.

[debbiem]

Pots it is then - I'd love to plant them out but it'll probably kill them. I think somebody on GWD(I haven't been on there for yonks) lives in Sussex and grew a Pieris in I think chalky soil, and it thrived, but that's not going to happen here.

Thanks Sleepy.

[debbiem]

That's a great idea, The witch, but I think I'll just leave that spot for the moment as anything in it is so vulnerable to attack, or so it seems.
But saying that I might just try the Skimmias in there as they don't seem to be jumping for joy in their pots. :