Lavatera seedling
A lavatera we had for around six years died this year. Not sure why. I did read somewhere that the lifespan is around six years! It was very big and used to flower beautifully.
When we dug it out yesterday we saw a white sticky fungus or mould type thing all over the very deep roots.
We noticed it it has self-seeded in the area and the seedling is quite big, around 30cm high. Should I leave it there as it seems happy, or should I dig it out and raise it in a pot? Could this white stuff potentially affect the seedling?
0
Posts
wakeshine: I've been trying to dig out a lavatera this week from our tiny front garden - it was bang on six years old and was a lovely delicate little thing when planted. I had no idea they grew quite so large.
Last year it was really struggling, covered in aphids for the first time - and the flowers (such a beautiful pinky mauve) just drooped and the leaves just wilted. The soil in this tiny front bit had always been poor - builder's leftovers - and I was shocked at how quickly it grew to become more tree-like - and the roots got themselves under the wall.
It was a fight to dig down and get around the roots - I had enough for the day and left it in disgust - more at myself than the blasted lavatera. Should have read more about their growth and growth rate in the first place!
Sorry to hi-jack your query about the white sticky fungus, which I have no clue about. BUT - I'd be interested to see what your seedling looks like as I have more to clear away and suspect I may have one as well. Didn't take a photo of the suspect as I'll have to clear a fair bit more to get to it.
The large twisted root bit on mine in this photo may have been part of the problem - whether I was careless when originally planting it or the roots twist around like this I have no clue. It just looks a monster. Lesson learned for me though. No more lavatera - beautiful as they are in bloom. I'm leaving it for another day to try and get it totally out of the ground.
Last edited: 14 May 2017 22:55:49
Thanks for your reply. I'll try and take a photo of the seedling and post it for you.
Yes they do get really big, we didn't realise either. Thing is we do want it to get big and fill a space up.
hello Yarrow 2 sorry for the late reply to this but I have just taken a photo of the seedling:
I don't know whether to remove it or leave it:
I think it is too close to the grass and it will eventually overhang the grass by quite a bit. I would either move it now to where it has more space and keep it well watered or wait until the autumn.
Thanks for the reply Hogweed. Much appreciated. If I get time this summer I will move it, otherwise I will leave it until after Autumn.