GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - lavatera arborea in a container

04-07-2006, 06:53 PM posted to rec.gardens

wrote:
I have a beautiful lavatera plant (which I think is of the
arborea(tum?) variety. It is currently planted in a half wine barrel.
While it is growing and flowering, I have to water it every day because
by the end of hte afternoon, it is visibly drooping. Does anyone have
any advice about this? Perhaps it simply can't be in a container? Any
thoughts? Thankyou.

The foliage is outgrowing the ability of constrained roots to supply
moisture. If you wish to keep it in a container, you must trim the
plant. Alternatively, replant in a larger container.

Also, consider replanting with a potting mix that is more amenable to
supplying moisture to roots even as the mix starts to become dry. See
my http://www.rossde.com/garden/garden_potting_mix.html for a
do-it-yourself recipe.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/