Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Hepatica => Topic started by: annew on November 12, 2013, 10:27:56 AM

Title: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: annew on November 12, 2013, 10:27:56 AM
Bringing all my hepaticas under cover, I wondered whether to cut off the leaves now, or leave them on for the winter. I've been compromising by cutting off damaged or dead ones, but leaving on the healthy ones. What about other growers? It would be more convenient to cut them all off now, but I don't want to weaken the plants.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Afloden on November 12, 2013, 04:54:26 PM
I never cut off the leaves in the Fall because the plants are currently putting out their new roots. The new roots need the energy produced by the leaves for next springs growth. I tend to never cut off the leaves even in the Spring, but I planted out all my plants to save me the trouble of constantly moving them back and forth (and to keep the squirrels out of the pots!)

 Aaron
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: annew on November 12, 2013, 06:19:33 PM
That was my thought, Aaron. Thank you.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Peppa on November 12, 2013, 08:42:20 PM
I don't cut the leaves in the fall, either. I cut off the old leaves after the flowers have finished in the spring. I was taught this by Japanese Hepatica growers, and it is a common practice there especially with folks who grow their plants for show. That way the plant gets good circulation and it helps prevent fungus diseases. Especially because it gets very hot in Japan in the summer.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Michael J Campbell on November 12, 2013, 09:52:03 PM
I cut all the leaves off when they start flowering and before the new leaves appear,but then as usual  I would be the odd one out, wouldn't I ? :P
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: annew on November 13, 2013, 09:36:43 AM
Thanks, everyone.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Diane Clement on November 13, 2013, 10:01:00 AM
I cut all the leaves off when they start flowering and before the new leaves appear,but then as usual  I would be the odd one out, wouldn't I ? :P
Not the only one Michael.  I do something similar, cutting off any old dead leaves in the autumn,  then all of them before flowering.  I know that isn't what they do in Japan, but our climate is very different.  Leaving the old leaves on until after flowering can lead to etiolation of flowering stems as they rise above the old foliage.  There's also the risk of fungal attack from the old leaves - the old stems can hold moisture because of the hairs and that can lead to botrytis. I prefer to cut them off and no harm is caused. Sometimes I leave it a bit late -  here's a few pix from last winter to illustrate the problem. 
1. all looks well but leaves are quite congested
2. underneath the leaves the hairy stems are visible
3. leaves pulled away to reveal the problem - one mouldy bud and the other partly nibbled
4. leaves removed
5. mouldy bits removed and bud treated with sulphur
Plant survived and was fine
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: annew on November 14, 2013, 12:38:46 PM
Thanks, Diane. That's what I usually do, and I've had the same experience as you. Also it's easier to cut off the old leaves before the new ones come up.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Mavers on November 14, 2013, 01:31:42 PM
Also by removing the foliage before flowering you avoid accidentally cutting off a new leaf, or even worse :o....... a FLOWER :'(

I did get over it but it took a while. ::)
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: ichristie on November 14, 2013, 03:57:08 PM
Hello, well I have just cut all the leaves from my Hepaticas as last year when I left most we had some aphids overwinter under the leaves like a fool I sprayed the plants the spray froze overnight killing some flowers buds. I can assure you that the plants where leaves were removed at this time last year produced plenty new roots then flowers, cheers Ian the Christie kind
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Palustris on November 14, 2013, 09:15:58 PM
So if they are making new roots now, when is the correct time to split up a clump? I have one which has to be moved (being swallowed up by an immovable object). I would prefer to keep it alive.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Diane Clement on November 15, 2013, 01:17:29 PM
So if they are making new roots now, when is the correct time to split up a clump? I have one which has to be moved (being swallowed up by an immovable object). I would prefer to keep it alive.

I divide/repot in June or September, depending on when I have time.
Title: Re: Hepatica leaves - cut off or keep?
Post by: Palustris on November 15, 2013, 02:27:10 PM
It will have to wait until June then, a bit late now. Thanks.
And despite following the instructions to the letter, again not a single  seed has germinated in any of the pots. A few self sown ones have appeared though.
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