Re: Sollya not thriving
Grdnpeach@aol.com wrote:
> Why might my Sollya heterophylla plants not be thriving? They are in
> alkaline soil (about 7.3), they're in the shade of Deodora cedars, they've
> been in the ground for 3 or 4 years. They get some filtered sun, especially
> in the afternoon.
>
> One plant is doing fairly well, and the others are about the same size they
> were when planted. Could I be watering too much, not enough? Should they be
> kept dry in the summer?
>
> Hi Nancy
There are various possibilities, but three I principally wonder about
1) Possibly too shady. Light requirements described as "none to filtered"
2) Overwatering maybe, possibly a bit too rich feeding. These are Western
Australian plants and used to a pretty poor, sandy quick-draining style of soil.
3) Your very high pH . Most natural soils in Australia are on the acid side as
far as I know. This is a tricky one to deal with. If relevant perhaps you migh
do better putting it into a container. They actually do pretty well as container
plants. I used to have one in a pot myself, but lost it some years ago (due to
neglect, I'm shamed to say).
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
