Topic: witch hazel in trouble....

[daisymay]

Hi everyone, long time no speak! not sure where the time is going this year!

We have a crisis with our engagement present from Manuel's parents - a witch hazel. It looks like it has suffered badly in the heat and we have accidentally neglected to water it (ooooops - we do not water any of our trees but guess as it is its first year it may have needed more TLC!!) - most of the leaves are crinkled, crispy and yellow..... still a few green ones.

What can we do to try and rescue it - will lots of water be enough? what should we feed it? is their any hope for it??  :-[

[Robert_Brenchley]

Absolutely masses of water for a start. What size is it?

[saddad]

Always worth keeping it well watered, as it helps the winter flower buds to develop, same with Camelias...
As the tree itself very unlikely to die. We had some contorted Willow in pots for the plant sale and all the leaves went brown and crinkly but put back in water and have since produced a new flush!
 ;D

[rosebud]

LOTS of water and a good mulch, and cross your fingers.

Seriously it should be fine but keep nice and MOIST once it shows signs of recovery do not drown it though keep moist at all times good luck. Rosebud. ;D

[daisymay]

phew - thanks for the reassurance guys - am watering it lots now, most of the brown leaves have fallen off but there are a few green ones and it looks like some buds may (hopefully) be forming

Got a selection of mulches: very well rotted horse manure, home made compost or leaf mould??

Robert - it is very small - about 1 metre - was new this spring..

which would you you use?

[Robert_Brenchley]

horse manure if it's well rotted. Maybe a small quantity under leafmould? Given the size of the tree, a bucket of water a day should be plenty.