A question about Echium.

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by luciusmaximus, May 15, 2025.

  1. luciusmaximus

    luciusmaximus Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2014
    Messages:
    3,284
    Gender:
    Female
    Occupation:
    Standing at the crossroads contemplating
    Location:
    Annalong, Northern Ireland ( but not for long! )
    Ratings:
    +7,266
    As some of you may ( or may not ) recall I was given a small Echium plant. It's now a big plant , but it's decided it really doesn't like sunshine :scratch:. If left in full sun it wilts and looks most unhappy about the situation. So, I've been covering to keep it out of the sun. Other than a sudden dislike for sun it's doing OK, I think. I'm confused as it did like the sun being a Mediterranean plant. Any ideas on why it doesn't like the sun anymore??
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    8,222
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Mad Scientist
    Location:
    Paignton Devon
    Ratings:
    +26,722
    @luciusmaximus is it in a pot or the ground?
    Mine have never been shy of sun and I've never seen one wilt, I've currently got three flowering in different parts of the garden and even the one in the driest part has shown any signs of wilting.
    If it's in the ground have a poke around the roots and see if something has been eating them.
    A photo could help, has it started to form a flower stalk, mine began to extend in March.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

      Joined:
      Jan 9, 2005
      Messages:
      54,678
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Mid Kent
      Ratings:
      +104,918
      I find if pot grown they like lots of water and feed during the growing season, maybe yours is not used to hot sunshine, its pretty harsh at this time of the year if a plant is not used to it, gradual exposure might be good.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • luciusmaximus

        luciusmaximus Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Apr 18, 2014
        Messages:
        3,284
        Gender:
        Female
        Occupation:
        Standing at the crossroads contemplating
        Location:
        Annalong, Northern Ireland ( but not for long! )
        Ratings:
        +7,266
        20250515_173637.jpg


        The pot is big, 50 cm pot. I noticed that the bigger leaves had developed red brown marks on the tips and were curling. These bigger leaves fell off and I removed two smaller ones. You can see in the pic there is still a couple of leaves with the red brown marks on the tips. Could it be the sun has scorched the leaves ?
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        54,678
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +104,918
        That's quite a small plant, maybe dont over water or feed at this stage and let it grow a bit first.
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jan 31, 2012
          Messages:
          8,222
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Mad Scientist
          Location:
          Paignton Devon
          Ratings:
          +26,722
          The lower leaves on mine also die off as the plant gets larger.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Informative Informative x 1
          • luciusmaximus

            luciusmaximus Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Apr 18, 2014
            Messages:
            3,284
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Standing at the crossroads contemplating
            Location:
            Annalong, Northern Ireland ( but not for long! )
            Ratings:
            +7,266
            Ah,right, I didn't know that.
             
          • luciusmaximus

            luciusmaximus Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Apr 18, 2014
            Messages:
            3,284
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Standing at the crossroads contemplating
            Location:
            Annalong, Northern Ireland ( but not for long! )
            Ratings:
            +7,266
            I'm not sure how old it is. It was grown from seed. I've not fed it at all and have been careful with the watering.

            Should I still keep it covered during sunny days? I don't want it to die, but it's not happy with sun all day. In the morning it is in shade and as soon as the sun hits it there is wilting going on!
             
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            54,678
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +104,918
            It doesn't sound too good to be honest, they usually are pretty tough plants and thrive on sunshine.
             
          • Purple Streaks

            Purple Streaks Gardener

            Joined:
            Aug 13, 2012
            Messages:
            629
            Location:
            Sconthorpe
            Ratings:
            +909
            I know its a bit late but your echium looks like mine grew in February this year.from a pkt of 50 seed Its a diferent one it is flowering at the top and the flowers are the same as a tall one. .though they are a mixed selection of white pink and blue flowers. They look as though they will be better in a group.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • NigelJ

              NigelJ Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jan 31, 2012
              Messages:
              8,222
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Mad Scientist
              Location:
              Paignton Devon
              Ratings:
              +26,722
              @Purple Streaks Could you post a picture of your echium in flower.
              As it is a little unusual for it to be flowering now from a February 2025 sowing.
               
              • Like Like x 2
              • Purple Streaks

                Purple Streaks Gardener

                Joined:
                Aug 13, 2012
                Messages:
                629
                Location:
                Sconthorpe
                Ratings:
                +909
                I will have a go Nigel , but dont hold your breath :smile:

                I have not known their to be other Echiums other than the tall cone shape so i checked up. they were in the lucky dip of Chiltern seeds . The name on the packet is Echum Vulgaris mixed , a mixture of white pink and a lovely bluey pink


                Nothing like the echiums i saw at Fishacre Devon/ Cornwal ????
                Must add as lovely as they are im dissapointed they were not what i thought I assumed it was a printing error .:heehee:
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                  Joined:
                  Jan 9, 2005
                  Messages:
                  54,678
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired
                  Location:
                  Mid Kent
                  Ratings:
                  +104,918
                  Echium vugare is the native one, it behaves itself on very poor soil but self sows like crazy on any thing half decent.

                  It turned into a weed in my vegetable garden for a few years.

                  The big ones self sow but they have never been a problem to me.
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • luciusmaximus

                    luciusmaximus Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Apr 18, 2014
                    Messages:
                    3,284
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Occupation:
                    Standing at the crossroads contemplating
                    Location:
                    Annalong, Northern Ireland ( but not for long! )
                    Ratings:
                    +7,266
                    20250623_194027.jpg

                    She's feeling better and growing well :biggrin::biggrin:. Looking a bit windswept as a blustery wind today.
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Purple Streaks

                      Purple Streaks Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Aug 13, 2012
                      Messages:
                      629
                      Location:
                      Sconthorpe
                      Ratings:
                      +909
                      Never mind, at least the bunnies look happy enough , :spinning::spinning:
                       
                    Loading...

                    Share This Page

                    1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                      By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                      Dismiss Notice