New gunnera leaves look dead!

swisscheese

Morning gardeners!

My gunnera looks sick... It's been covered all winter to protect from the cold, and about a month ago, new leaves started pushing through the covering (it thought Spring was here in Feb!). Since then we've had lots of snow and subzero temperatures, so I kept it covered. When I uncovered it recently, it looks very unhappy, as if the stems / leaves started to grow and then died. Also the 'hairy' part of the crown looks black, and I've spotted some small worm-like bugs in the soil.

Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

George

Obelixx

Mine looks just as unhappy.  All you can do is wait and see and make sure it's protected from any further frosts.

I've been growing mine in a pot too, in a bid to get it to a decent size after losing two others to surprise frosts.  The plan, assuming it's OK, is to get it in the ground this year and then it will be buried under a barrow load of compost every autumn to see it thru winter.

Hostafan1

I agree with Obs, looks like a bit of damage due to frost. It'll bounce back.If you're planning on keeping it in that pot, I'd suggest repotting it with more compost.

swisscheese

@Hostafan1

Good idea – I'll get repotting. I'd put in in the ground, if our London courtyard wasn't concrete!

Thanks

Dovefromabove

Fill the pot to within a couple of inches of the rim ... it needs plenty of root room and fresh air around the crown ... it'll get a bit dank that low down.