Garden Care Guide

Rumex olympicus Care

Rumex olympicus

A mountain plant endemic only to the high altitudes of Uludağ that likes cool, moist, rich soil. Growing it in Izmir's hot climate is almost impossible; it can only be attempted by experts, with special conditions that keep the roots cool and constant watering.

Hardy · -25 °C / -13 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: The winter rains are sufficient. If it is in a pot, keep the soil slightly moist.
  • Pruning: Remove dry flower stalks and leaves left from last year.
  • General care: Chilling is vital for the plant, so keep it in the coolest place possible.
  • Pests & diseases: Root rot and insufficient chilling are the biggest risks.
  • Frost risk: Very frost-hardy; the real problem is heat.
February
  • Watering: The winter rains are sufficient.
  • Pruning: Finish clearing the dry stalks.
  • General care: It may not wake up at all because of insufficient chilling.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: Very frost-hardy.
March
  • Watering: If the soil begins to dry, water just enough to keep it moist (15-20 L/week); reduce if there is rain.
  • Fertilizing: Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to the soil; do not overapply.
  • Plant protection: Protect the newly emerging giant leaves from snails and slugs.
  • General care: Spread a thick layer of organic mulch (e.g. bark) to keep the root zone cool and moist.
  • Pests & diseases: There is a risk of weak shooting or no shooting at all.
  • Frost risk: Late frosts can damage young shoots.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, a balanced liquid fertilizer may be applied; do not overfeed.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids and leaf-eating insects.
  • General care: Monitor the development of the large basal leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Yellowing and weakness of the leaves can be the beginning of heat stress.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Scorching and shriveling may begin on the leaves.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites.
  • General care: It is vital to keep the roots cool; maintain a thick mulch layer.
  • Pests & diseases: The plant may begin to wilt from heat stress. Scorching at the leaf edges is the first sign.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: A plant under stress becomes open to all kinds of pests.
  • Pests & diseases: Complete collapse, wilting, and death of the leaves are highly likely.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: If it survives, you are lucky.
  • Pests & diseases: Death of the plant is the most likely outcome.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: If the flower stalk has dried, cut it and let the plant concentrate its energy in the roots.
  • Pests & diseases: Assess the summer damage.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Clear all dead leaves and stalks.
  • General care: Allow the plant to prepare for winter dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: General cleaning.
November
  • Watering: If the winter rains start, stop watering completely.
  • Pruning: All above-ground parts should be cleared away.
  • General care: The root zone needs some protection from winter rains (if they are excessive) and needs to get a chill.
  • Pests & diseases: Beware of the risk of root rot.
December
  • General care: This is the plant's dormancy and chilling period.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch out for the risk of root rot.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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