daphne odora cultivation

Question

Our old ( 10 yr) daphne odora has developed yellow leaves in parts of the plant. last summer, it did not receive the watering it should.

what soil Ph and types of soil should we provide? We have tons of comercial grade organic compost...can this be used to top dress the plants?

Can we provide Ironite to the plant to combat the yellowing of the leaves?

thank you.

Answer 1

Daphne are notoriously picky about the site placement.  They absolute go into immediate decline if they get too much water.  I actually  built an eight inch mound, planted a portion of the root ball in the mound, but left enough roots out of the hole that I had to prop the shrub up with a couple of limbs until it got rooted in.  I've had it for about 10 oe 12 years, and I'm told that this is quite uncommon for the daphne.  However, I think I have lost it this year to a fungus as it has turned completely black and is losing its leaves.  We have an extrememly we winter, and I guess it just couldn't take the extra water.  I did root a number of cuttings so I have already planted new ones in a new location to avoid any remaining fungus that might be in the soil with the old shrub.

For some good cultivation tips, check out this web site:

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/how-to-grow-daphne-odora