Sambucus

A few weeks ago I planted a young Sambucus 'Black Lace' but it's not looking good. My sandy soil was prepared first to give it - it's best chance. It's been watered regularly as well. So why has it's leaves shrivelled? The only thing I can think of are the chilly nights we're having. Any ideas please?

 

Hiya Sheal.

I'm kinda surprised that you're having problems with it, as my impression is that they're quite tough. Mine that I planted into a pot is doing well, despite the cold nights. Could it be that something (maybe Vine Weevil) is attacking the roots? Might be worth having a rummage around, underneath. Sorry I can't help more.

 

I have never seen a vine weevil in any of my garden's since I've lived on the island, 21 years. To be honest I've never actually seen a vine weevil, ever! So I don't think it's that. Some of the leaves 'pick up' during the day and have curled up again by the following morning and I think it's only a matter of time before they drop completely.

 

Maybe there were Vine Weevils already in the pot from the start? Worth a look, at least...

 

That's a bummer Sheal . Mine is 3 years old now and lives a restricted life in a narrow but deep pot. It wasn't phased by this dreadful winter/spring and there's no sign of leaf damage.
I'm wondering if the one you bought had led a sheltered,mollycoddled life in a protected tunnel maybe? I'm sure it will come good once the weather settles down,
Jenny

 

Freddy, the soil looked clean around the roots before I planted it.....by the way it's gone into a brand new bed, so I wouldn't have thought there was anything untoward in the ground. I'm loathe to dig it up again as it may set it back even further, I'll give it a week and see how it goes.

Jenny, you could be right, I really can't think of anything else that would upset it apart from the fact it's been chilly and windy here overnight. It's so frustrating!

 

Drying, or cold, wind I reckon - particularly if where it came from was either sheltered or in a tunnel. Do you have a large clear plastic bag that you could cut / open the bottom of [to make a tube] and put that over it with 3 or 4 sticks to make a "square"? that would keep the wind off it and make a mini cloche, so to speak.

(I buy clear lay-flat tubing specifically to use for that job - brings new plants on quicker by them not having to combat drying / cold wind)

 

Brilliant idea Kristen! Why didn't I think of that......no don't answer that. Thanks.

 

You are young, and I am old?

 

I wish I was young Kristen, A big landmark next year unfortunately. In fact two big landmarks, it'll be my ruby anniversary as well.

 

Congratulations! Our 25th this year Ruby eh? ... Well done indeed

 

Thanks Kristen, my husband says you serve less time for murder!

Congratulations on your Silver Anniversary. I remember our 25th well, we took ourselves off for three weeks in Norway, loved every minute.

 

I hear that quoted ...

We're going back to the, rather lavish, place where we spent our first anniversary ... its near Chatsworth, so we'll be having a wander round there looking for ideas; although ... not sure that "lets dig a coal mine" so that we can have a humongously large and ridiculously inefficient tropical house is on the list of "permitted projects" for this year ...

... nor the "Let's dig a 10 acre lake on the top of the hill to provide a head of water for a fountain because we have invited the Tsar next Summer" - impressive though the Emperor Fountain is the Tsar did a no-show

 

Enjoy your anniversary. I've not been to the Chatsworth area, something to put on my to do list.

 

Ive noticed that the slugs have taken to stripping the bark off my black sambucus - maybe thats whats up with yours ? Dunno why they keep eating that one, theres plenty of ground elder nearby that they could be snacking on..