problem with meconopsis quintuplinervia

[robsorchids]

i was happy to see my pot grown single plant of meconopsis quintuplinervia had produced 3 offsets at the sides of the pot, but sadly the mother plant rotted of.

now the other 3 younger offsets are taking on a yellowing of the leaves, im not sure what it could be other than a nutrient defficiancy? but i have been feeding every month of so with dilute acidic fertilizer.

i also potted in a gritty/sandy acidic mix, its in mostly shade with its neighbour lingholm (which is doing better than i ever though possible in a pot)

perhaps i have been overfeeding? i dont want to lose these as i have yet to see the flowers!

any help appreciated

thanks
rob

[David Shaw]

Rob, you say the plant is pot grown - why? M. quintuplinervia is a spreading plant almost groundcover, and I can't see it in a pot.
Growing conditions in Essex are different to Moray but in our garden we grow this in partial shade in humus rich soil where it is forming a wide clump. Maybe the core plants are dying off and the offsets growing on - I have not observed this but it could be so. I would suggest that quintuplinervia does not suit pot culture and it would better released out into the wide open garden?

[Susan Band]

Rob,
I wouldn't worry. The plant is due for dying back at the moment, might be a bit early but it is normal. The offsets take over from the old flowering rossette that is why they are better outside as you can see they are already at the edge of the pot. If you have a careful look by tipping the pot up on to your hand/tray and  gently lifting the pot you should see white shoots going around the pot.

Susan

[Maggi Young]

Rob, I think the word you need  to describe this die-back is "herbaceous" 

[David Shaw]

I think it s more than just herbaceous, Maggie. We have an old established clump where old plants seem to die off completely and their position in the clump is immediatly colonised by offsets from outside, thus maintaining the integrity of the clump.