Daphne Bush Has Stopped Growing

Question From: A. DeLeon - Castro Valley, California, United States
Q: Hi Nancy! I have a 15 year old Daphne bush that seems to have stopped growing just before it was ready to bloom. No leaves have dropped and new sprouts have just stopped where they were. Nothing has changed in the past month or so (no yellow or dropping leaves). We have been experiencing a drought here in California. I watered and fertilized a couple days ago, but so far, no changes. Any idea what's up?
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A: Daphnes are known to be finicky. They will up and die for apparently no reason. Your big mistake was to fertilize it, Fertilizer is not food and will only add additional stress to an already stressed plant. Be sure to keep it watered. and hope for the best. Good Luck, Nancy