Yellowing Ceanothus

[Marb67]

Well, another brand new plant already going downhill after about 6 weeks. Potted on with compost and molehill loam, a sprinkling of bfb and kept in full sun and already it's going downhill with yellowing leaves and flowers failing to open. No idea what this is, Checked for scale insect etc and no signs.

Shall I feed with chicken manure pellets or Q4 ? I don't want to lose this.

[Nicos]

My guess would be over or under watering.
They don’t like wet feet
They tend to be fairly drought tolerant, so my guess would be overwatering at this time of the year.
No idea about the feeding, but I can’t see it would harm it.

[Andraste]

Great minds clearly think alike re the over/under watering Nicos. My grandmother taught me you can generally kill plants with kindness quicker than neglect.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend investing in a basic moisture meter - mine's been a godsend & this year in particular I'm noticing that my pots/seedtrays etc. are not needing watering anywhere near as frequently as I'd be inclined even when the top looks dry or the pot feels lighter.

This is the one I have: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156359951...mis&media=COPY

I didn't buy it from this seller (mine was a gift) so shop around - they've got some on Temu for £3. You can also get the same gadget with a built in PH reader too if you want a fancy version for not much more money.

Edit to add: maybe some pot-feet might help drainage?

[Marb67]

Well it's a little greener but lots of leaves fallen (mainly yellow and orange) and no flowers are opening, just dry and pathetic.

[mothhawk]

Chicken manure, especially the pelleted type, has far too much nitrogen for plants restricted in pots and tubs and will poison them, causing leaves to yellow and restricting or preventing flowering. The leaves may go a lovely deep green to begin with, making it look super healthy, but then the plant will start to die.

edit: I just googled Q4 as I'd never heard of it. It is also very high in nitrogen.

[Marb67]

Q4 is advised as a general use fertiliser.

"Vitax Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser is ideal for flowers, vegetables, fruit, tomatoes, and chrysanthemums, making it a favorite among experienced gardeners"

[mothhawk]

"Vitax Q4 professional is not always recommended for use in pots, mainly because you can overdo it."

[Marb67]

My sister in law used it in a container to grow salad leaf and I can tell you it grew incredibly well. I only mix a dusing in my compost when potting on. I'll bear that in mind though.

[Jungle Jane]

Ceanothus is a nitrogen fixing plant,good in the soil for the plants either side too. I never fed mine or watered,shrubs are easier in the ground,roots are too restricted in a pot (unless it’s a special compact variety?)

[Marb67]

You can grow them in pots. The stems are turning brown, flowers not opening and disintegrating and leaves falling. Not good!