Bare root Privet hedge

rubble2

Hi,

I bought and planted about 120 bare root privet hedge plants around 6 weeks ago.
I followed planting information found on you tube etc. and most of the plants seem to be ok, but maybe half a dozen or more seem to be dying. I just wondered what the expected survival rate would be? I also wanted to know if there is anything I can do to save the dying ones and protect the others? They have had more than their fair share of watering via rainfall but there anything I should be doing regarding feeding the plants etc which would help them prosper?

I had about a dozen left over after planting (over ordered) and they have been left untended in the garage but to be honest they look to be in better condition than some of the ones I planted!

Appreciate any advice, thanks

Farway

I wouldn't feed now, let them get established roots settled first

The "spares" I'd pot up and be ready to use as replacements

Privet is tough, which is one reason for it's success, come late Spring see how the runts are looking & be prepared to oik them out & use the spares

Privet will root easily from hardwood cuttings so if if came to it you could strike some more come Autumn, they'd soon fill in being a hedge

twopenny

Are they very big?

Were they bunched together and roots entwined?

Were the roots dry before you planted them? Are the roots waterlogged ie rotting in this weather?

Have you heeled them in well?

You can check if they are alive by gently using a finger nail to scrape a tiny bit of bark back. If it's green that's good. If not that's bad.

You could gently ease them up, check the roots and plant a little deeper so they produce more roots from the stem. Add a little bone meal and sand to the area for drainage. Or replace if the others are healthy and put the weak ones in a spot of earth somewhere to maybe recover and be understudys.

This stuff is almost indestructable but that's a lot of plants to be together. It's possible that some where not as good or strong as others.

With only half a dozen causing concern I think you've done well.

rubble2

Thanks for the replies,
To answer your questions - The plants were bunched together about 20 plants per bunch, I separated them and soaked them in water for a few hours prior to planting. I planted them with a mixture of compost and bone meal and heeled them in well (I believe.)
They were bought as 40-60cm high plants
I will check the bark as suggested - thanks for the tip. As I have a number of spares which are now planted in the garden I will see how things look and replace any casualties as needed.
Thanks again for the help

[Deleted User]

What is your soil type there ?
And as said, don't feed yet, that can hinder instead of helping, right now.
I wonder if they're too wet ??
No young plants like wet and cold feet in winter.