Sulking Choisiya

keithcorsby

I moved a neglected Choisiya (long , thin, bare stems) just before the recent cold snap. I used fresh compost, watered well but it is looking very sad. Tried feeding but no visible response. Should I prune it or just wait?

Plantminded

Any chance of a photo please?  What is the position like that your plant is now in (eg. sunny/shade/sheltered/exposed), what sort of compost and feed have you used and is your plant in a pot or in the ground?  These details will help us to provide you with some remedial advice.  Welcome to the forum!

keithcorsby

Hi there! I moved it to a sheltered spot where it gets the sun til around lunchtime and is then partially shaded. I used a general good quality peat free compost. I watered the new site before planting and have kept it watered every two days with intermittent feeds of MiracleGro. I will take a photo tomorrow.

keithcorsby

Sorry, the plant was in the ground and is still in the ground in its new position! Thanks for getting back to me!!!

Fairygirl

Don't keep feeding it. A struggling plant will struggle even more. 
Did you prune it before moving it? That makes it easier for a shrub to re establish. 
It may well have been dehydrated long term. They like some shade, but it may have been reaching for light, hence the spindly stems, or if the soil is poor, it could just be struggling due to long term lack of nutrients.
In good soil, they're easy. In poor soil they struggle, so it's the soil that needs improved. 

punkdoc

It will not do well long term in just MPC. Can you mulch it with some well rotted manure, or garden compost.
Agree about not feeding a poorly plant.

keithcorsby

I didn't prune it before moving it! Maybe that's one of my mistakes? Should I prune it now?

Fairygirl

It would depend on it's maturity and how it looks. A photo would help 

keithcorsby

I live in Dorset and when I moved in I realised the garden had been neglected; very overgrown shrubs fighting each other for space. It's taken a lot of work to get back to basics! So I think you're right that the soil is poor quality. My Daughter has horses so I have access to manure. Would that suffice for mulching? Is it sufficient to just lay the mulch around the base of the plant or should it be dug in?

keithcorsby

I will add photos very soon.

Fairygirl

Manure has to be well rotted, unless it's going on a piece of bare ground. 
Once rotted, yes- you can just lay it around plants, avoiding any emerging perennials. Autumn/winter is a good time to do it as it gradually rots down and benefits the soil by spring, but you can add it at almost any time. 
Too much round perennials can promote a lot of excess, soft growth which isn't always helpful, but around trees and shrubs, it's excellent. It's by far the best soil conditioner