By Thecat
Lancashire, United Kingdom
Hi all, looking for advice. Last weekend I moved a healthy, lush Jacobs Ladder plant. I watered it in well & its rained all week since. Now its looking very unwell with drooping leaves. I cant see it recovering in its present state so I'm wondering if it would help recovery if I cut it back. I'm hoping this would promote new growth.Any comments, does this make sense or have I finally lost it?!
- 31 May, 2013
Answers
I have one of those in bud now. Drooping leaves could mean 2 things. The roots may have broken off when you moved the plant. Did you keep the rootball and soil intact with the plant when you moved it? That would be my first suspicion. In that case I'd remove a third of the stems to see whether the plant perks up. Another possibility is that you planted in heavy soil. This plant likes a peaty, well drained soil. If the planting hole didn't allow for sufficient drainage the roots could have become waterlogged with all the rain together with your watering.
31 May, 2013
Thanx for your comments. Part of the rootball did fall away. I used fresh multi purpose compost. Will probably trim back the leaves, if nothing else but to make it tidy and keep my fingers crossed.
31 May, 2013
Cut it back. It'll grow back this year (without flower) and be fine
1 Jun, 2013
I've had to move several this last week and I didn't trim them back, just kept watering. Mine are in a basic chalky soil and are doing well at last. they are looking perky today.
1 Jun, 2013
Thanx everyone. I've now trimmed the plant and watered well. Seems to have picked up.
1 Jun, 2013
Probably not the best time to move it, Cat. It is not going do well this season but I would not cut it down, just leave it to sulk and it should come OK next year.
31 May, 2013