mexican orange blossom dead?

Hello. I have had this shrub for 5 years which is potted. Suddenly one hot week this summer it started to droop and even after me watering it everyday it does not look heathy. Just wanted to know if this is the end for this plant ? Thanks

 

Lack of water should not cause a long lasting trouble after you keep watering the container.

Have you had any vine weevils around? The adults chew the leaves but the real trouble is with the grubs which destroy the roots. Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer Fact Sheet

 

Such a shame. It must have been a really nice plant prior to this. Might I make a suggestion or two. As we are aware, many even long established plants including trees, fell victim to the unfamiliar high temperatures recently experienced.

I suggest that the pot be removed carefully. The roots can be examined. I have never come across damage caused by Vine weevils either as adults or grubs. Snails are cited as being a pest to Choisya. The pot appears in the photo to be somewhat small for the plant size, which apart from possibly causing the roots to become pot-bound. This would have an affect on the amount of water actually being available for that size plant. In addition, container or pot grown subjects as we know require winter protection, as the compost can quickly become frozen solid. In a similar way, the pot or container can quickly become an oven during really hot spells. Planted in the open ground, the heat would be dispersed, in a container there is no escape. I would suggest checking the roots as mentioned, should damage be found, then cut away damaged roots. Then repot with fresh compost into a larger pot/container, plunge into water and let drain. I would leave the dead leaves in situ and allow them to fall naturally. Don't feed the plant for a few weeks. Most mixed composts usually contain enough balanced feed to last about six weeks. Hope this helps.

 

Thank you very much. I will do wbat you recommended:-)

 

Choisyas are not ideal pot plants in my opinion. They have long vigorous roots that are not at all suitable for such a small pot.

For a sense of context and scale, I have the same shrub over 12' tall and as much across growing next to a warm wall. (Amazing scent from the flowers too in spring).

If you have to keep in a pot then do 2 things.....one use a much larger pot. Then use a john innes compost...a soil based compost. Vine weevils are less attracted to it. Multi purpose compost is not suitable for a shrub in a container in my opinion......it has limited ability to retain moisture and nutrients, lacks weight (for stability) and lacks essential bacteria for healthy growth.

Not at all sure the problem is caused by any pests but certainly check for them Rafael. Vine weevils are partial to the leaves so maybe there are grubs in the soil but in my experience the adults feed on them but do not produce their larvae in the soil of these shrubs.

It would have suffered in most summers but this past summer...drying out, watering, drying out again would not have suited such a shrub in a pot.

No, it is not dying but if you have a spot in the garden then plant it out. A well drained sunny spot, water in once and leave it. I feel it will grow away just fine next spring.

 

In my opinion the Choisya could be dying. Having grown many of these in the past 20 years or so, I have noticed the demise of some that look just like the pictured one there @Rafael. I really hope I am wrong.
The ones I have lost recently were not all in the past few months - rather over the space of 5 or 6 years which rather blows out the ''long hot summer'' theory I think