Question by Georgia B.
I just planted a Wisteria 3 days ago and the leaves are turning black. I’m not sure if it is fungal or to do with using chicken manure? I don’t want to lose it. Any advice on what I should do now.
Sarah's answer
Hi Georgia,
it could be down to the chicken manure. If it was fresh, it has most likely burnt the roots of your plant making it difficult or impossible for it to absorb water and nutrients. Fresh chicken manure is a ‘hot’ manure and needs composting for several months – until it is brown and crumbly and resembles compost and most importantly, doesn’t smell. If you used mature well-rotted manure, then you may have put too much in the planting hole. Less is more with fertilizer. It is also good to mix it in with a layer of soil between, so there is no direct contact with the plant. As it was recently planted, you could try digging it up, cleaning the soil off the roots and try to nurse it back to health in a container of good quality potting mix and try replanting when it recovers, however it may be too late for this plant so you may need to start again, but before you do, try to remove some of the manure from the base of the hole or try to flush it away by filling the hole with water several times.
It could also be due to something that occurred during planting which has resulted in transplant shock. If the environmental conditions are different from what the plant has been used to, for example too hot or full sun, this can cause recently planted plants to react adversely. For some, if the difference is too great then it may be too much, however if it wasn’t a dramatic change, you can nurse the plant back to health with a seaweed tonic, a good mulch to even up the soil temperatures and some temporary shade to prevent further damage from the harsh temperatures and burning effect of the sun. Ideally, if the conditions are vastly different to what they have been used to, then gradually expose them to the conditions over a week or two.
Other transplanting problems are too much water or not enough. Too much water can cause root rot and not enough can cause the plant to shrivel up and dry out. Newly planted plants need a good watering to settle in. If there is too much water remaining around the roots though, then you may have a drainage problem in the area you have planted, which would need to be fixed.
I hope this helps.
Cheers Sarah
