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Stunted Nikko Blue

Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA

last year

I planted this Nikko Blue last year - a small band bought on Etsy - and it never took off. It just sat there all season, not growing.

I planted it in some shade with dappled sun, gets some full sun midday briefly, trees nearby. I fertilized once in spring.

Any idea why it is not growing? Thank you so much!

Comments (5)

luis_pr
last year
last modified: last year
It may be busy developing a good root system. Water, mulch and fertilize appropriately. It looks fine. Start fertilizing after your average date of last frost and stop fertilizing three months before your average date of first frost. Use a cup of cottonseed meal, organic compost or composted manure. Or use a general, purpose, slow release, chemical fertilizer with a NPK Ratio of about 10-10-10. I assume the soil has no mineral deficiencies. Never water the soil to avoid leaf spots; water the soil instead, as soon as a finger inserted into the soil to a depth of 3-4" feels dry or almost dry. Water deeply with enough water to moisten the soil near 6-8" deep. Maintain 3-4" of organic mulch at all times of the year. I Atlanta, I used to provide either dappled sun or morning sun until 11am or so.
Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA thanked luis_pr
Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you so much!

I would like to plant another hydrangea in the area, which I grew from a cut. It is now in a pot, bigger than this one. is this good time to plant?
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Yellowing of old leaves -with no dark green veins- could signal heat stress, too much sun or a nitrogen deficiency. Too much sun affects only the leaves in direct contact with the sun so if shaded leaves are affected too then this may not be the cause of the problem. Morning sun and afternoon shade (or dappled sun) will prevent the leaves from getting scorched by the summer sun in warm areas. Soil kits are available on some plant nurseries and can help you tell if the soil needs (or does not need) nitrogen; you can add the fertilizer that you never added or use blood meal (high in N). While at it, make sure that the soil has not water issues (too little or too much). A ph kit can also tell if the ph is too low and the plant has difficulty absorbing some minerals at low levels. Wilting is common during the summer months so water if the soil feels dry to a depth of 4". About 1g of water per watering should be fine. Do not over-water as this causes wilting too due to root rot. 'Normal' wilting is something that the shrub can recover on its own if the soil is moist. Root rot wilting episodes develop and 'stay' 24/7.
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luis_pr
last year
last modified: last year
Yes, indeed, now is a good time for the bigger plant. The key is as long as it has developed a good size root system. Otherwise, keep it in a protected area during the first winter. Do not let the soil then get bone dry if winter turns out to be dry. Should there be an extreme winter event, I would cover the plant with mulch to winter protect it. Remove the protection when it breaks dormancy; then only mulch and water. Be prepared to protect from late frosts until your average date of last frost... In Atlanta, that fell around the 2nd-3rd weeks of April. Afterwards, you can start to fertilize, about once every three months with a slow release fertilizer like the ones mentioned previously.
Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA thanked luis_pr
charles kidder
last year
Most frown upon chemical fertilizers, but in situations like this, a few good doses of high nitrogen miracle grow can help to kick start growth. Might be too late in the year this year, but next spring if it's still stunted, I would give a good dosing of MG every week.
Artist-FKA-Novice Zone 7B GA
Original Author
last year
@charles kidder,

Thank you for cofirming - I am certainly planning for some extra fertilizer regimen next spring.

In the meantime, I dug it up (easy to do since it is so small) and replanted it in a deeper hole filled with nice fluffy manure and soil conditioner. I have GA clay and given how small it was, I may have scrimped on the hole when I planted it.

It looks fine and green, just not growing. Hopefully, it will take off next season. If MG is what it takes, that's what it will be.

Thank you all!

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