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fatsia japonica
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Posted by PattiG_NC SEcoastNCz8 (My Page) on Tue, May 31, 05 at 20:27
| Last fall, I planted a fatsia japonica in a dappled shade location and it did well until December, when we had an early, unexpected, severe freeze. The plant just "crumped"; its leaves turned yellow and stems bent and I thought it was dead, but had heard they're fairly hardy so I didn't cut it all back until spring. All that was left were two sorry looking 1/2 inch diameter twigs sticking out of the ground. I was about to replace it when I scraped the roots under one of the twigs and found green! However, it's now June and though the green on the roots remains, there is nothing happening above the ground. The dead twigs are about 4 inches long and definitely not showing any signs of life. Is there hope for this plant or should I give up? It was a good sized pot; 1 gallon I think, so if the roots are alive I'll give it a chance. Would it help to cut off the "twigs", or feed it? any ideas? thanks so much. P. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: fatsia japonica
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| I have had 2 fatsia japonicas for 5 years. They are wonderful plants and seem to be very hardy. They have made it through several freezes each winter (as low as 15 degrees a couple of times) and sometimes look pretty sad by spring. But they always come back stronger than before. The only pruning I do is pull off yellow leaves after new growth appears. I wouldn't cut off anything until you see new growth. They usually begin putting on new growth in April. If you haven't seen signs of life by June I would suspect they aren't coming back. But it couldn't hurt to wait another week or so to see if warm weather encourages new growth. |
RE: fatsia japonica
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| Thanks Greenthumb, I've planted another nearby and it's so happy; and frequently check the roots of the injured one and I'm sure it's still alive....just can't bring myself to dig it up!! I also have a tiny one my neighbor gave me; volunteered from her's last year, and it's only 2 inches high but will plant it very soon, as I nursed it through the winter here and it's healty. I also posted in the tropicalesque forum; some think it fared poorly because it was planted too late. didn't make the same mistake this year, though. Thanks so much for your response! Pat |
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