If heather dries up, it can have various causes. It is all the more important that you find the right cause and recognize what needs to be done. These tried and tested tips will help.
What to do if heather dries up?
You should sift theheather, pick up some substrate and rub thesoil between your fingers If the substrate has dried out, water. If instead waterlogging is responsible for the heather drying out, you should water less or replace the substrate.
Why has heather dried up from below?
If heather dries up from below, this indicateswaterlogging. Excess water causes the branches to dry from the ground and turn brown. Waterlogging causes the roots of the evergreen plant to rot. As a result, the supply to the plant stops from bottom to top and the heather continues to dry out. In this case you obviously have to do something different than with dry soil:
- Water less heather
- Let the soil dry or replace the substrate
What to do if the soil under the heather has dried up?
Loose up the substrate,watermore regularly andfertilize the heather. You should make sure that the water you add does not simply sink into the ground or form waterlogging. It is better to replace a depleted substrate that stores water poorly. You can give the weakened heather a boost with fertilizer. But don’t overdo it when adding fertilizer. The following fertilizers are suitable:
- Root plant fertilizer
- hornwood fertilizer
- hydrangea fertilizer
You should not fertilize the hardy heather during the cold time of the year.
How can I save dry heather?
If you provide suitable conditions and cut back the heather in spring, the Erica will often sprout again. Pruning does not provide any security for new growth after drying out. However, common heather varieties such as moor heather, common heather (Calluna vulgaris) and snow heather are also exposed to adverse conditions in the wild and prove to be extremely robust plants. You should therefore not give up dried heather too quickly. You can often do something for the heather.
What can I do to avoid drying out?
Plant the heather in sandy,permeable substrateand apply adrainage layer. If the water can drain down easily, you don't have to worry about waterlogging when watering. Under normal weather conditions, watering should not be necessary too often. Since heather is quite undemanding, you don't have to do much for the plant in the right environment in the right location.
Tip
Drying fresh flowers
If the heather has recovered after drying out and has beautiful flowers, you can also preserve them. Dry the heather and the flowers will retain their colors and shapes in the long term.
