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| We have a row of four of these; they have flowered profusely every spring for about 10 years, and are now 6+' tall and wide. For some time, by midsummer, the inner 2/3 portion of leaves on most branches would shrivel up to nothing, while the outermost on each branch were normal. Last year I finally got some advice from the local URI agriculture dept. that the plants had a fungus, and at their suggestion, I cleaned out the bed after leaf drop and sprayed a fungicide this past spring as the leaves were emerging. This year, the leaves did not shrivel completely, but as the photo shows, most of the inner leaves are undersized, with brown edges, while the outermost leaves are once again full and healthy. Can anyone tell me how the foliage on this plant is supposed to look? Thanks in advance. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sun, Aug 5, 12 at 19:02
| all trees.. and shrubs.. as the canopy extends.. and shades the interior of the plant.. lose vigor on those inner leaves ... frankly.. from your pic.. i see nothing but a normal LARGE shrub ... [actually i dont understand why part is variegated.. and part not???] ... if you want to increase the vigor of your plant.. and take it somewhat smaller .. google: rejuvenation pruning of flowering shrubs having grown weg's for 30 years.. i have never spent money on chemicals.. and am wondering if your expert didnt just want to make some profit off you ... because i am sure.. he was willing to sell you.. immediately .. what he recommended ... but again.. i dont know where you are.. so maybe its a regional thing ... ken |
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| I thought that was strange about the fungus too. IME this variety (and most weigelas in general) just looks crappy if not pruned every few years. Rejuvenation is the way to go. Just do it and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the results. |
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| Thanks both for responding. I will look into pruning these, it makes sense to me. Ken- The biologist who recommended spraying works at the University of RI, and has nothing to sell. I am located in coastal RI along the CT border, we are probably in actuality zone "6 1/2". I'm attaching a photo that better shows the differences in the foliage. The larger, lighter colored leaves with yellow edges, mostly at the ends of the branches, are quite healthy, while the smaller, darker ones with white edges are curling up and turning brown around the edges. Last year, this progressed until the smaller leaves were mostly brown and dead. Pruning certainly seems in order. I will be investigating as to the timing, etc. Thanks again. |
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