I have a problem with a stand of 3 mop tops in my front yard. After 12
months in the ground they have growth but it is very spindly and not
lush at all. Almost anaemic looking. They do have fresh growth
visible, but they do not appear to have matured much from when they
were first planted. They do not get a lot of sun on the South side of
the house where they are planted.

Another mop top from the same batch is planted on the North side of the
house is doing very well in full sunlight.

Is the sunlight the problem?
Will the robinias come good eventually or should I bite the bullet and
get something else?
What could I get that would replicate the effect of the raised coverage
that the robinia provides?

Thanks.
Steve.

In article .com,
"Steve" wrote:

I have a problem with a stand of 3 mop tops in my front yard. After 12
months in the ground they have growth but it is very spindly and not
lush at all. Almost anaemic looking. They do have fresh growth
visible, but they do not appear to have matured much from when they
were first planted. They do not get a lot of sun on the South side of
the house where they are planted.

Another mop top from the same batch is planted on the North side of the
house is doing very well in full sunlight.

Is the sunlight the problem?

Sounds like it. Robinias are usually planted in full sun.

Will the robinias come good eventually or should I bite the bullet and
get something else?

I'd get something better suited to the conditions. Is the house a two-storey
one -- ie, the position is almost entirely shaded?

What could I get that would replicate the effect of the raised coverage
that the robinia provides?

Tree ferns?

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"Parenthood is like the modern stone washing process for denim jeans. You may
start out crisp, neat and tough, but you end up pale, limp and wrinkled."
Kerry Cue

"Steve" wrote in message
I have a problem with a stand of 3 mop tops in my front yard. After
12
months in the ground they have growth but it is very spindly and not
lush at all. Almost anaemic looking. They do have fresh growth
visible, but they do not appear to have matured much from when they
were first planted. They do not get a lot of sun on the South side
of
the house where they are planted.

Another mop top from the same batch is planted on the North side of
the
house is doing very well in full sunlight.

Is the sunlight the problem?

Huh???? Why do they have new growth on them at this time of year?
They are deciduous. At this time of the year they should be losing
leaves and not getting new growth.

There are some small newish green leaves (I may have mistook small
growth for new growth) but the main leaves are now starting to yellow.
Another thing was that the leaves are much smaller than the healthy
plant that I do have. I did speak to a nursery on the weekend and they
suggested that there are two things that mop tops hate - wet roots and
shade. It looks like I may have to move these and try something else.

I did see the Evergreen Cascade® Alnus on hellohello.com.au which may
suit. Any comments on these?

Steve

In article . com,
"Steve" wrote:

There are some small newish green leaves (I may have mistook small
growth for new growth) but the main leaves are now starting to yellow.
Another thing was that the leaves are much smaller than the healthy
plant that I do have. I did speak to a nursery on the weekend and they
suggested that there are two things that mop tops hate - wet roots and
shade. It looks like I may have to move these and try something else.

I did see the Evergreen Cascade® Alnus on hellohello.com.au which may
suit. Any comments on these?

Nah. Couple of nice gum trees.

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"Parenthood is like the modern stone washing process for denim jeans. You may
start out crisp, neat and tough, but you end up pale, limp and wrinkled."
Kerry Cue

Steve wrote:
There are some small newish green leaves (I may have mistook small
growth for new growth) but the main leaves are now starting to yellow.
Another thing was that the leaves are much smaller than the healthy
plant that I do have. I did speak to a nursery on the weekend and they
suggested that there are two things that mop tops hate - wet roots and
shade. It looks like I may have to move these and try something else.

I did see the Evergreen Cascade® Alnus on hellohello.com.au which may
suit. Any comments on these?

Steve

I've got 4 Moptops and a Cascade. Both seem pretty well indestructable.
My moptops are fairly sheltered, and have pretty wet roots.
One is in a pot that I neglect to water and it isn't doing all that
well compared to the others which have grown to a huge size over about
3 years.
I like the cascade, but as a weeping tree it doesn't grow any higher
than when you bought it. (Mine is a little short... You live and learn
I guess)