wilting trex!! (Tetrapanax papyrifer)

[phurst]

I recently posted a topic on ukoasis with regards to my wilting trex after the garden was flooded.<a><img src="http://upload9.postimage.org/114124/RIMG1525.jpg" border="0"></a>
I had the plant in a pot in the ground because we hope to move within the next couple of years and want to take it with me. I secured a replacement on ebay a couple of days ago just incase, and i have decided to put one in the ground. What I would like to know is what is the best way to prepare the ground for planting as I now know that trex's dont like too much water, and what would the best potting medium/mixture for the one I am taking with me . I had it in neat john innes No3 and it looked like porridge after the flooding!!!, here is a piccy of the trex after it had recovered!!!<a><img src="http://upload9.postimage.org/114409/RIMG1528.jpg" border="0"></a>

the top left hand leaf looked like a soggy dishcloth last night

[Dave Brown]

Hi Phil, mine wilted after I watered it too much with a mulch. I removed the mulch, and watered less, well not at all over the last couple of weeks, and it has recovered. I thought everyone on UKO was saying they need lots of water, so that was what I gave it, but it turns out they don't like to completely dry out, but need an airiated soil, and there is a subtle difference

I used soil conditioning bark, multipurpose, gravel and sand mixed in with the clay and to open the soil up. I will water it every few days when dry.

If you garden is prone to flooding, you will be better off planting it in a raised bed. Also if you are going to move in a couple of years it sound like it may have produced pups by then, which you can take with you.