Cleyera shrub dropping leaves

Stacy W
by Stacy W
I just planted 4 Cleyera shrubs and the are dropping leaves. 1 has lost almost 1/2 it's leaves then the others are not quite as bad. The one plant still in the container seems fine. Are they just in shock?
  4 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 03, 2012
    Since the one that is still in the pot is still fine, Stacy, it sounds like transplant stress. A plant losing half its leaves, however, is a lot of stress. How long did you keep them from the time you brought them from the nursery until you planted them? Where did you keep them and how much water did they get? How much time has elapsed since you planted them? Is the amount of light they are now getting significantly different than at the nursery? How much water have they gotten since you planted? Sorry to ask so many questions, but all these factors could weigh on why your plants seem so unhappy.
  • Stacy W Stacy W on Oct 03, 2012
    They are in the same amount of sun as the nursery, full sun. I planted them within 2 hours of getting them home. I watered them after I planted lthem ast Sunday but I didn't water them again until Friday. I don't think I gave them enough initially. I think since it was pretty warm last week I'm wondering if I just let them get too dry. Did I kill them? I knew I needed to water them but the guy who works on our lawn came over on Tuesday and I mentioned watering them and he said since it's getting cool at night it creates condensation and I shouldn't water them again. Ugh
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 03, 2012
    Stacy, do not listen to anything else that lawn guy tells you about shrubs! Good, deep watering is the most important thing you can do to help your plants get established. Water them, do not let the soil dry out (but you don't want it waterlogged, either), and cross your fingers.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Oct 03, 2012
    Stacy what did the roots look like when you planted the Cleyera? And how did you plant them, did you add any soil amendment ?