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by FloydFreak from Rural North Florida

Last Post 1 day, 22 hours Ago


Loropetalum Nightmare
Nov 27, 2008 | 10:30 AM
Category: News
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Hopefully, this is not a violation of Fox's T&C so here goes...

Are there any of you out there that are experts in gardening/landscaping? Here's my dilemma. The wife and I had a deck built about a year ago. Last spring, we planted twenty-two small loropetalum (loropetala?) as a border around said deck. We purchased them from a local nursery here in Alachua County. Out of 22 plants, six of them flat-out died which the grower replaced for us. Still more ended up dying - some of which were original plants and at least a couple were the replacements. So we gave up on this guy and bought six more from another grower.

I'm still having a heck of a time with them. Only about six of them are doing really well. The rest are stunted and/or have edges of their leaves turning brown.

I know that these plants like acidic soil so I have been feeding them coffee grounds. Of course, we haven't had rain in weeks so I water them at least twice a week. I also fertilized them with Osmocote which I use on everything.

What is up? It's not like we are master gardeners but almost everything else that we have planted over the years has thrived including Indian hawthorn and vibernum not to mention lots of live oaks and maples. We provide everything with lots of TLC.

If anyone can offer some suggestions, I would sure appreciate it. I'm about ready to rip them all out and replace them with Indian hawthorn.

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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MoonOwl read my blog view my photos
Nov 27, 2008 | 3:07 PM

Your county extension office might be able to help you w/soil analysis?

But, if you have something that likes your property already (Indian Hawthorn) perhaps you should replace them?

I hate when plants just die.
yellowdog read my blog view my photos
Nov 27, 2008 | 7:31 PM

try using the toilet inside the house or the bush behind the tool shed if you are outside...it worked in my yard.
DamianStone read my blog view my photos
Nov 27, 2008 | 11:20 PM

FF; my suggestion would be don't rip them up and replace with Indian Hawthorne, replace with Ligustrum. Ligustrum are very hearty, and can withstand everything from the direct heat of the Summer sun to the cold spells of the Winter nights. They grow rather quickly, the leaves are nicely shaped, and the hue of the green is dark and rich. Damian.
DamianStone read my blog view my photos
Nov 28, 2008 | 12:10 AM

FF; if you would like to alternate between horticultural species that are acclimated to the Florida weather and temperatures, as well as climate, Boxwood are very nice to accentuate Ligustrum, and also relatively hearty. The leaves are smaller and lighter in hue than the Ligustrum, and therefore compliment it well within a diversified garden. Damian.
DamianStone read my blog view my photos
Nov 28, 2008 | 12:15 AM

Addendum; I am actually rather surprised that there is nobody on this particular blog ranting and raving about Global Warming, or the adament denial of the existence of Global Warming! Damian.
mmustangg read my blog view my photos
Nov 28, 2008 | 1:18 AM

Do like I do. Plant wild flowers.
AKA weeds. They never die!
bozey45
Nov 28, 2008 | 4:27 AM

Not clear whether these are in full sun or not but i read that these may do better in this state in partial shade rather than full sun.
FloydFreak read my blog view my photos
Nov 28, 2008 | 6:19 AM

Thanks to all! (Well, almost all - YD).

Let's call it partial shade as I have them planted alongside the deck. In other words, a dozen of them get direct morning sun or at least they will come spring. But their close proximity to the deck means that they all will get their share of shade, too.

This is my first experience with Loropetalum but I see them all over Gainesville and Ocala and they form a beautiful low hedge when shaped correctly. And we love the color which varies, as I understand, with the acidity of the soil.

Regarding the soil...these are planted near the house so the soil is rather sandy as it is the fill that was brought in when the house was built. Too bad that they're not planted in the rich soil that we have out back. But, on the other hand, the Vibernum and Hawthorn in front of the house are planted in the same type of soil and they're thriving.

DXS: I may try the Ligustrum idea. I have a couple of them scattered about but I never considered them for this application. We have a few Boxwood on another part of the property and they're really hardy.

I knew that there had to be some people on here that knew their stuff. MANY thanks!
yellowdog read my blog view my photos
Nov 28, 2008 | 8:04 AM

you are welcome freak...it's great advice..try it.
FloydFreak read my blog view my photos
Nov 29, 2008 | 9:52 AM

EUREKA! I may have hit on something. Now, hopefully, someone with knowledge like Damian or bozey will read this:

What about softened water? I have been watering these off of the spigot on the side of the house. The house water is softened. I thought that his might be the issue so I ran extra hose from the well (non-softened) thinking that this might cure my problem.

I have been watering a lot of other things, including the Vibernum off of the house spigot but they seem to do fine.

Do you think that the sodium may be the problem with the Loropetalum?
DamianStone read my blog view my photos
Nov 29, 2008 | 11:23 AM

FF. thank you first of all for your compliment. Yes, I think that you may have hit the nail on the proverbial head. I didn't realize that you were using softened water. Evidentally, the saline within the water which is used to 'soften' the water will in fact change the chemical make up of the water and particularly the capability of the foliage to absorb the water in the use of irrigation. The more salt in the water, the more difficult it is for the plant to absorb, and although the soil may be moist, the plant may be unable to benefit from it. I have county water, wheras many of my friends and colleagues use softened water, and this is indeed an ongoing occurance! You yourself identified the issue at hand! So douse the entire section with the untreated waterto the point that the soil is drenched. I would however still suggest Ligustrum as they are hearty and I think aesthetically pleasing! Damian.
RandyLoo read my blog view my photos
Nov 30, 2008 | 11:35 AM

Feed all your plants nothing but fish emulsion...oh, I know it stinks to high heaven but the smell doesn't last very long and all plants love it. No water softener water..that is a no no. And those lorapetulums are risky little devils. I planted 4 of them near my house and 2 of them died. They were in morning shade/afternoon sun and it should be the other way around.
I like to let the ligustrums grow up to be short trees and them shape the tops a round shape. I think they are so neat like that. I am trying to shape some wire for some topiaries if I ever get my energy to start that back up. I am now starting worm compost beds. Can't wait to get a great big bin full of worm poop and I can make some worm poop tea for my plants.
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FloydFreak

I am your normal, middle-class, "working Joe". But I am also a capitalist and believe that nothing good comes from socialistic entitlement programs. I believe in hunting down and killing terrorists like the little rats that they are (except that that statement is denigrating to rats). I grew up in a very conservative household and was fortunate enough to have had a conservative American Government teacher (a retired US Army colonel) who helped to show me the "right" way. Are there things that I would like to change? Absolutely. But NOT the kind of "change" being espoused by Hillarock Obaminton. I have lived in Florida for forty of my forty-eight years. I've been a big Pink Floyd fan since my teen years hence the moniker, FloydFreak. My friends call me Freak, Floyd, and FF. The libs call me a neocon. I wear that badge proudly. Please note that I enjoy engaging in spirited discussion - even with those with whom I disagree. There are a number of individuals on these boards whom I respect even if I DO think that they're out of touch with reality. Please note also that I do not tolerate personal attacks on my character. If you think that I'm full of BLEEP, you have the right to say so. But drag my character into the gutter and expect retaliation in kind with FloydFreak's own brand of sarcasm. Keep it civil and we'll get along fine. To those of you that see good in America and want the OPPORTUNITY for prosperity for all - and do not just seek to soak it to "the rich", I say God bless you. And God bless America!

Member Since: 7/19/2006


 

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