I have a Blue Potato Plant as well and have only had it for a couple weeks. I just re-planted it in a huge old whiskey barrel in my yard and at first did not make sure there were drain holes at the bottom. We just drilled some today, but prior to doing so, I noticed that the plant, when first purchased, was so gorgeous and flowering everywhere. Since replanting and before drilling the holes, all of the flowers have fallen off and the leaves look shriveled. I'm wondering if it is simply experiencing shock or if I've killed it?

I should mention that when I first planted it, the planter is so large that I made sure not to overwater, but then we got a heavy rain and it may have gotten too wet. Now that the holes have been drilled, it should be adequately able to drain and it does get plenty of sunlight. I hope I haven't destroyed my baby!

Thank you for any help!

Desiree)

Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Desiree-Your plant could be experiencing some transplant shock. These plants always look great when first purchased as they have most likely been growing in a greenhouse or in a location they have been acclimated to for some time. As I have noted any I have grown took some time to acclimate themselves to a new environment but always have been hardy and took off quickly once in the ground or pot for a couple of months. With too much water the leaves will yellow somewhat and may look as though they are wilting. I wouldn't think only being planted in the wiskey barrel for a short time too much water is the problem unless the roots were actually sitting in water from a hard rain or a lot of watering. These barrels can be large which can take a lot of water to keep new planting mixes damp. I would make sure when digging down 6 to 8 inches around the root ball the soil feels cool and moist but not too wet or dry. If the planting mix happened to be on the dry side it can take awhile for it to absorb water and may drain through without moistening the soil mix. In this case the rootball may have been kept too dry. If the soil in the root ball is just moist the plant should recover. Most likely change in location (amount of sunlight and temperature) has created some shock. You can scratch a small spot of bark off stems with your fingernail to see if the stems are still alive. If the tissue under the outer bark is green the stem is alive. If brown the stem is most likely dead. Let me know what you find after checking for soil moisture and if the stems are still green.

Below is a link to a previous question that was also asked of the potato plant.

http://www.gardenality.com/Questions/1955/Plants/Shrubs/What-Is-Causing-Leaves-To-Turn-Yellow-And-Drop-Off-My-Blue-Potato-Bush.html#a=a_5021

John)