Red robin won't grow
thefunrach
Posts: 2
This plant (a red robin apparently) was planted about a year ago and hasn't grown any bigger in a year.
Any idea of what the problem may be?
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thefunrach
Posts: 2
thefunrach
Posts: 2
thefunrach
Posts: 2
Posts
IT HASN'T DIED, SO THAT'S ALWAYS A PLUS.
IT IS PROBABLY JUST HAVING A THINK ABOUT THINGS.
IN THE MEANTIME, i WOULD TAKE OFF THOSE NASTY GREEN PLASTIC TIES. THEY WILL STRANGLE IT IN THE END AND REMOVING THEM WILL ENCOURAGE IT TO FORM STRONG ROOTS.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
It's probably doing more underground than above, developing a good root system before it can make top growth.
I agree with Pansy - remove the ties. Then clear the grass from around its base so there's a circle of bare soil with a diameter of at least a couple of feet, so the shrub isnt competing with the grass for moisture and nutrition. in February give it a feed of Fish, Blood & Bone as per the directions on the pack. It's a slow acting organic fertiliser which will provide nutrition for the coming year. In dry spells give it a bucket full of water twice a week. It should be fine.
Last edited: 02 January 2017 08:31:52
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Agree, and clearing the grass from around it is important. Grass is a very competitive plant and uses up lots of nutrients from the soil.
Good advice above. Mine took a long time to get started, some years ago, but now it's big.
It doesn't look very 'Red' to me. Should have red leaf stalks and dark reddish new stems and buds. Looks not quite right, although it appears healthy enough.
H-C
I've seen many, but don't own a Red Robin - your plant doesn't look like a Red robin to me. More like a skimmia, but I may well be wrong
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
It looks like Red Robin to me, mine only has green leaves at this time of year. The new growth in Spring will be red.
The leaves look too thick for a Photinia, but I've no idea tbh
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Skimmias are short, round and bushy.
Wow. Thanks guys. I feel better now. I'll take your advice and remove the grass at the base asap.