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Sick Lupin

Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,275
in Problem solving
This lupin has been this colour for maybe two months now. I initially suspected blocked drainage holes in the tub and thus soggy compost, but this wasn't the case nor too dry. Any ideas? It's still trying to flower despite its poor condition.

Posts

  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    from the picture I would have guessed overfed with nutrients but lack of nutrients can look similar especially if the plant is rootbound so based on your explanation I would go with too small a pot. Maybe add some fertiliser if it is lack of nutrients when you repot it.

    Could be that is just doesn't like our climate, I am not familiar with this plant myself.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,035
    edited May 2019
    I’m wondering how long it’s been in that compost?  I would repot lupins in fresh compost every spring, potting on as it increases in size through the growing season and then feed with tomato feed when it starts to form flowering spikes. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,029
    Can you get it into the ground? I grow many plants in pots but never succeed with lupins. I grow them on my allotment now. Mrjtforman I  surprised you are unfamiliar with lupins a proper old cottage garden favourite. 
  • LynLyn Posts: 22,852
    That’s one starved Lupin 😀Much better in the ground, if you plant it out, it won’t recover, but it will grow new leaves, put some of your compost down the hole, don’t feed it, just give it time, as it grows new leaves you can cut those yellow ones off. 
    They don’t really like pots, I know you worry about slugs but a plant that size won’t get affected. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,275
    Thank you all for your very helpful comments. The compost is MPC and fresh out of a bag this year. I have a neutral loam in the garden but the last lupins I planted out were gone in a few days. The slugs even ate down into the roots when top growth had all gone. Ironic that they don't seem to have touched this sick plant?
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    I've read a few forum posts now saying lupins and pots aren't a great mix.

    All I know is the one I have in the ground utterly thrives.
  • LynLyn Posts: 22,852
    There are not many perennials that do live happily in pots., unless they’re like Monty Dons huge monstrosities. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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