I was so happy to finally be able to buy some Mediterranean Pink Heather. I placed the pots outside so they can get rain and sun, but I guess they were too close to the overhang where they didn't get any rain. I haven't been able to plant them yet, and they dried out. I have been trying to water them, but it seems to not absorb into the soil. I also tried to place them in a container of water to try to water them from below, and they aren't taking the water that way either. Are they dead? I don't want to lose these plants. If I do, I'll have to wait another year to buy them. They aren't carried at the stores anymore. moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
When the soil gets extremely dry it compacts and will not take in water. Take the plant out of the pot and put it in a small pot of water. Take a small fork and start gently digging the soil off the plant. As you get more and more off, it will probably start absorbing some water. Then repot in fresh soil, you might get some of those water crystals too for times when you forget to check on it.
That's what we call spring heather, I think. They're very hardy plants and should manage to survive the dry-out. If they start dropping needles they might be goners, but don't give up on them just yet. If they die back a bit, cut them back. I cut ours back every spring after blooming, and it keeps them full and pretty. Good luck!
I was planning on planting it today. Should I wait and repot it instead? I have a lot of work I was planning on doing today because it is going to rain tomorrow. I figured that would be the perfect time: sunny and warm temps today, rain tomorrow, and sunny and warm again on Monday. I heard that they will get a good boost from that lineup of weather. Do you recommend any plant food for when I plant them? Also, the plants I want to remove are getting bigger. I need to get them out before they get any bigger. I am trying to remove some Hostas, and lots of Tiger Lilies.
I'd plant it, Beeker. Plants usually do better in borders than in pots. Just keep a close watch on it for the next couple of weeks. Since those heathers are blooming now they should grow new shoots soon, and then you'll know if it will survive. Heathers are a bit slow, sort of tree-like, so things take a little more time with them. A bit of well-composted manure won't hurt but will stimulate root growth. Remember to plant the heather in a well-drained place, since they don't like wet feet, and don't plant it too deep. They don't like that either. They prefer the top of their root ball to be at soil surface level. Also, they like acid soil. Why are you removing your hostas?
Thank you, Droopy. They are now in the ground. I dug a large and deep hole for them and filled the hole half-way with some soil and some woodchips mixed in. Then I put the Heathers in. I figured that would help with drainage and with loose soil, the roots can expand outward easier. I also went to the store and bought some plant food. I saw a woman there buying stuff and she looked like she knew what she was doing. I asked her a few questions and she gave me some tips that I wouldn't have thought about. Being a total newbie, I didn't know that you should tear the roots to help them grow outward. I thought if I tried, they would break and that would be bad. But, like Toni suggested, I took a fork, and dug the potting soil away, also spreading the roots, before putting them in the hole. The woman also mentioned soaking the plant food before putting it in so that it doesn't burn the roots. I bought Osmocote Outdoor and Indoor Smart Release plant food. It said that it wouldn't burn the roots, but I soaked them for a few minutes anyway just to be safe. Then, I mixed a little in with the soil on the bottom before putting the plant in. How does that sound? I am removing the hostas only in that area. We have a lot of them and they were starting to fill in everywhere. I just needed to clean out a bit. Don't worry, we replanted the hostas around that old tree stump I have posted about in the past. It looks better, and I'm sure when the plants are settled in, everything will look better still. BTW, we have a lot of deer in the area that feast on them every year. But, hostas are pretty tough and bounce back quite well.
It sounds like you're spoiling your heathers, Beeker. I hope they'll appreciate it and grow and bloom well for you. Well done. Please post some photos, I'd love to see how everything looks.
Thank you. :-D I will try to get some pics when the plants settle in. The hostas are now starting to bounce back. They were flat and droopy for a day or two, but now they are showing their strength again. I am still a bit worried about the deer, though. I would rather show you pictures when the Heathers are green again. They do show some signs of health, but I would rather wait until they are more sightly. I do look forward to showing you pictures. If you don't mind brown, I might be able to get a couple this weekend.
Yes, I think you should. I know I would have cut off the flowers in order to save the plant itself. Blooms takes a lot out of plants. You'll loose this year's blooms but they will reward you next year if they survive. I always cut my heathers back after blooming. It makes them fuller and will keep them from getting leggy and scrawny. If I need to transplant them during blooming I always cut the blooms off. Sorry if I didn't mention this before. I thought I had.
You did. Sorry, I must have missed it. I have been so anxious, I read it fast and not carefully enough. The plant doesn't look very good. I'll have to get pictures for you. It is stomach-turning to look at. I don't want to have to wait another year to try to buy them again.
Yes please, some photos will be fine. Don't give up just yet, it's still early days in the heater world.
Sorry I haven't gotten pictures yet. One of my goldfish got very sick, so I've been nursing her and have had no time to get online. She is better now, and I have been watering and periodically checking the heather and found on one of them some fresh green growth. The other one isn't showing signs of growth yet but seems firmly planted. I think that might be a sign that the roots have spread and established themselves. I sure hope so.
