I have a question. My Yucca's (Filamentosa) oldest leaves are yellowing since I planted it 2 weeks ago. I'm thinking the soil might be boggy, as it's in a mix of black organic and sea soil. I've read they don't like wet feet, although it is sitting in an all-gravel retaining walll. I was told to water in well for establishment so I did everyday for a week. Now we've had 5 or 6 straight days of rain and I'm wondering if it's had to much water. I'm tempted to add some gravel or something to mix into it's existing soil...does anyone have a suggestion?

Heidi

Dang Bill,14-15 leaves! that rocks,I would love to see that many leaves in a year! I was using Mir-acid on my stuff last year,(esp bananas) I have been using some very high nitrogen stuff this spring to try and bust some stuff loose,my plan was high N early,high P middle and high K late,maybe I will try something more balanced for next month like your suggesting,I think mother nature will provide the ingredient that makes the most difference next week,80F weather!

Jim, so has the high N stuff started to explode? Hope so.
Our weather's been hit and miss too.
Looking forward to some heat finally.

Heidi, yuccas need superb drainage, they'll rot in Vancouver's rain unless they're planted under an eave, or in a raised bed on top of gravel. Treat them like a succulent. Good luck.

Barb

Thanks Barb - should I just dig it up and plant it in perlite soil? sorry for all the questions, just don't want to lose anything new!

Thanks, Heidi

Heidi, I'd move your question over to the Yucca category and maybe more yucca lovers would chime in.
If it were mine, I'd move it to a gravelly area from which water drains in all directions, i.e. a high point in your yard, not where water drains TO.

If your property's soil is very fertile and loamy, I would dig the hole deeper than required, add a few pounds of gravel (or just rocks) at the bottom of the hole, then start backfilling with your natural soil. then plant the yucca. Mix with perlite if you wish...might be a good idea in Vancouver's heavy rainfall.

Or plant it under the overhang of house...where very little rain lands, as long as water drains away.

Barb

Hey Barb,not sure if anythings really exploding yet but our weather has been absolutely incredible with highs mostly in the 70sF and lows around 50F,looks like next week will be some 75-85F highs,that will really get the nanars and cactus going and I guess everything else!

Hi Jim,
glad to hear your weather's going to produce that explosion of growth soon.

I'm particularly interested in this HEAVY FERTILIZER discussion, but I'm such a chicken.
I tend to UNDER fertilize.

But the thought of 14 new fronds on a palm is sooooooooo tempting. 😀

Barb

PS--our weather has been the pits! Even a threat of light frost TONIGHT! Damn.

Thanks again Barb, I'll check out the yucca forum!

Heidi