How hard can I hack this back?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Jan 1, 2019.

  1. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

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    I suspect the heavy clay snorky.
    I have always grown them in shade
     
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    • Snorky85

      Snorky85 Total Gardener

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      Ah maybe it’s because mine are all in full sun
       
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      Our spotted ones are in full sun and on heavy clay but have never noticed that happening :noidea: Maybe I just haven't looked closely enough. Note to self: go out and have a look :old:
       
    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      Aucuba blackening / RHS Gardening

      The RHS seems to put leaf-blackening down to wet soil. My Aucuba picturata died a long, lingering death on a well-drained, shady bank :scratch:
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        I'll check mine to see but we don't have wet soil although we have heavy clay. The rainfall in our area is quite low.
         
      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

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        Yes I do think wet soil is the problem in Snorky's garden despite growing in sun. Perhaps the clay soil is more saturated than appears on the surface?? :noidea:
        I moved mine a few years back as it always appeared below par.......now in a semi shaded spot it thrives. One of those plants that should be tried elsewhere in the garden perhaps before giving up on :)
        In full sun in poor soil I suspect leaf burn will be a problem too ....:noidea:
         
      • noisette47

        noisette47 Total Gardener

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        I suspect with many plants, it's their inability to form good roots into the clay that is the problem, @shiney. Especially when they've been raised in peat or peat substitute which resists re-wetting if it's dried out at any stage. I used to have a real struggle to convince clients that pot-grown plants needed slow, careful watering for anything up to 2 years after planting into unimproved clay.
         
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        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          Sounds reasonable :blue thumb:. When we plant anything we dig in our own compost as well. So even the heavy clay has been improved.
           
        • silu

          silu gardening easy...hmmm

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          Certainly I can confirm you can hack back the ordinary green Laurel as hard as you like. I took a chainsaw to 1 of mine...not a favourite but massive job to totally get rid of it. The branches had diameters of about 10 inches so not quite a job for secateurs altho knew if dealing with your average shrub, it doesn't look too clever cutting Laurel leaves in half when pruning. It took a while but new buds eventually broke on the cut branches and 2 years on the brutal pruning has done the shrub wonders. Burnt the pruned wood in the log burner and it burnt very well...bonus!
           
        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          I do have a plain laurel on the other side of the garden that is also due a whacking back - it flowers fairly early in the year, so I will get it done after it has flowered - that one, I am likely to reduce by at least half (not a fan). I also need to do the camelias at the front this year after they have finished flowering (just started flowering this week)
           
        • noisette47

          noisette47 Total Gardener

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          Ah yes, but you're a gardener :)
           
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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            So are the rest of you :blue thumb: :hapydancsmil:
             
          • Fat Controller

            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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            Really? I thought I was a liability! :scratch: :biggrin:
             
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