Contrary to popular belief tap water will not kill them. I have 16 plants, all planted directly into the ground and they quite often feel the hose if rain water is scarce. At worst this watering will lessen the PH of the soil, especially if you live in a lime rich area and that can be reversed very easily by adding sulphate of iron.They have very tender, delicate roots and do not tolerate AT ALL manure of any description or sitting in a swamp.
The most likely cause of your problems are:-
1) that the soil is not acid enough, in which case water on sulphate of iron generously.
2) they are too wet, they like moist soil but do not like living in a bog.
3) you have put manure in the planting hole or as a mulch.
4) you have a pest such as vine weevils. |