By Cmoss
United Kingdom 
Hi guys, As a complete novice to gardening I have a couple of questions regarding a half standard Kilmarnock willow that I recently purchased. Currently they are both planted in large containers, however - taking into account the harsh winters of the past two years, would it be more beneficial for them to be planted in the ground? Also, a few weeks back I noticed that they were both crawling with little critters. After reading a plethora of information on how to get rid of the pests I blasted them with the hose. Later on that evening I noticed that a fair amount of the leaves had dried up and turned brown. Needless to say it looks rather sorry for itself. Can this be fixed - if indeed it can be?
13 Jun, 2011
Answers
It may be they dried out too much in the pots at some point, and that's why the leaves have withered. Best planted in the ground, as Nosey says above, if you have the space for them. I never recommend washing up liquid as a pesticide myself, considering it as bad for the environment as a proper pesticide and, to boot, not even terribly effective, but if you are going to use it, make sure its an eco friendly washing up solution.
13 Jun, 2011
Thanks guys, I reckon I'll will take them out of their containers and find the room for them.
17 Jun, 2011
your more than welcome .
17 Jun, 2011
Previous question
« I am looking for seeds or propagation material of a plant called "gandana"...
as a general rule of thumb most plants/trees etc will prefer being in the ground as they will be able to root wear they want . there are some plants that like having there roots restricted but most dont . if you use water with washing up liquid in that works best as a pest killer . water shouldnt hurt any plant realy unless you blasted yours while the sun was on them as this can cause the damage you mentioned .
13 Jun, 2011