Understanding Plant Losses and Recovery Strategies
Gardening is a rewarding activity, but it can be disheartening when plants fail to thrive. This setback, though temporary, can be frustrating, especially after the long winter season. Plants may not sprout due to various reasons such as waterlogging, root diseases, frost damage, or simply not being well-suited to their environment. While losses of alpine, bedding plants, and herbaceous species are disappointing, they are often less costly than the loss of woody plants, trees, shrubs, and climbers.
Some plant varieties are known for their resilience, including certain types of bamboos, mint, Solidago, and hardy geraniums. These robust plants may tempt gardeners to divide them to fill in gaps, but this practice can lead to a monoculture that lacks visual appeal.
Conducting a Post-Mortem Analysis
To prevent further losses, it’s essential to conduct a post-mortem analysis of the affected plants. If the plants are completely dead, dig them out and examine the roots. Rotten, red-brown roots with a cidery or sour smell indicate the presence of water mould, a fungus-like organism such as Pythium or Phytophthora. These organisms typically thrive in areas where the soil occasionally becomes waterlogged. Improving drainage and replanting with grass or sedges is a safer option, as these plants rarely suffer from water moulds.
If the rootstock is soft with a white surface and a mushroomy smell, it could be honey fungus, which gradually eats away at the plant until it no longer has enough roots or lower stem to support itself. In warm, dry weather, infected plants will wilt and die. Replanting in a different location or the same spot after a six-month interval is advisable, provided all infected material is removed. Sometimes, plants may die without clear diagnostic signs, so it’s best to treat them as if they were infected.
Soil Remediation and Replanting Options
If the soil can be replaced to a depth of 50cm, replanting can proceed with reasonable confidence. However, this process is labor-intensive and finding replacement soil can be challenging. A soil swap with the vegetable garden might work well in some cases.
Alternatively, delaying replanting until October or next spring allows pathogens to decline naturally. During this time, focus on soil remediation by installing drainage systems, creating raised beds, and removing all traces of dead plants. Sow seeds of annuals or plant trays of bedding plants to fill in empty spaces.
Retain any receipts and labels when replanting, as many suppliers may replace plants that die within the first few years. Plants are living organisms and can be unpredictable; it’s possible to unknowingly receive plants with latent infections.
Dealing with Failing Larger Plants
Newer, larger, and more expensive plants such as trees often face challenges when they fail to respond to spring and early summer conditions. The most common cause is inadequate watering. While refunds typically don’t require proof of good care, inspecting casualties can provide valuable insights for future reference.
If the rootball hasn’t expanded into the surrounding soil, it may indicate insufficient contact with the soil or the need to tease out the roots during planting. These rootballs tend to be dry as well. Rotted dead areas at the base of the stem can signal that the plant was planted too deeply. Ensure the “flare” of the roots is just below the soil level and no deeper. In loose ground, plants may sink over time, so it’s important to firm up the soil before planting.
Reviving Struggling Plants
Some plants may cling to life but appear sickly, with yellow leaves and minimal growth. While only the most hardened gardener would cut their losses, it’s often the wisest decision. Careful watering, removal of competing vegetation like grass, and applying a foliar feed of seaweed fertilizer can help revive struggling plants. This method delivers nutrients directly to the plant despite limited root function, giving it the best chance to recover.
