I am frantic as my hubby moved my buddleia alternifolia yesterday and the leaves have wilted! He was really careful but I now know you should move them when they are dormant? Any suggestions for nursing my sick plant gratefully recieved. It is around 3 years old.
HELP BUTTERFLY BUSH WILTED!!
Water very freely, maybe mist during the hot parts of the day, and cut the branches back by half, if you have all the roots it should make it.
Josephine.
It's probably just shocked -- I vote with frostweed. But I'm thinking good thoughts for it -- I just planted one (dormant) a few months ago and it's SO slow!
Thank-you both for your help. Do I really have to cut the branches as it normally flowers on last years wood. It will be sooooo painful for me. But I guess its better than losing the plant........
Be sure you water too freely, make sure you have excellent drainage in the new hole. If not you could actually drown it before the roots have a chance to recoup from the move.
formidablelady - I agree with others have already stated. The plant probably went into shock from the transplant and is dropping it's leaves to protect from added stress of leaf growth. Water once daily until you start seeing new leaves. But don't over-water as it could cause the already stressed bush to get root rot.
Thanks Beckygarden. I hope it dosen't die as it took me ages to get one. Darn wish I hadn't moved it. Will do as you all say and keep my fingers crossed.
I got one at Lowe's on the "save me" table at a deep discount. It looked pretty sad, but I had hopes. Right away after planting it lost most of it's leaves and the others looked like they would die. So I cut it back to agressively. This spring it is putting out new growth finally, all be it slow. So even if it looks bad, don't give up.
Mandy
Lots and lots and lots of water........................ And cut it right back to about 2 feet high........... it will be fine then!!
ITS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Cut it back as many of you suggested and it looked dead. Went out yesterday and its starting with new leaves. Thank-you so much to all of you, you saved its life! LOL.
All right!!!! Good for you, I hope you get lots of beautiful butterflies on it.
Josephine.
Thank-you Josephine. I am so happy I could do cartwheels!
Just now seeing this thread formidable... Glad your Budd recouped!! They really do bounce back. Even if one goes through some trouble they come back most of the time. I got one last year, late in the year..and it really has gotten used to it's home, finally. Once they get their digs in they really do flourish!
Yay for your alterniflora! Yaaay for you!
:-D
Hi Formidable
Oh cool, I am so pleased that your Budd is alive and well...........
Mark
People probably think I am nuts. I could have just got another one. But I hate to lose a plant. Think I must be bringing work home (I am a nurse by trade) LOL.
I think most people are the same when it comes to plants...... I know if i lose any i am gutted. Awwwww nursing you poor Buddleja........
Mine still looks like it's trying to decide whether to flourish or not. At least it has green leaves! Hopefully I will have a good burst of growth soon, but as they say, first year sleep, second year creep, third year leap, and this is its first year. Mine is a weeping version.
"first year sleep, second year creep, third year leap" I'll keep that in mind but its HARD!!! I get so impatient, I want stuff to GROW and be pretty quickly!
Pat