remove some of the mulch and see what happens.

I have never had plants react negatively to mulch but don't know what else could be going on. Let us hear what happens.

Well, all the major leaves ended up falling off... leaving only the smaller leaves towards the middle of the plant, and most of the flowers have remained. The remaining secondary leaves seem to be growing larger, and new leaves are sprouting... it seems to be recovering overall, but I'm still quite surprised that merely transplating them and overdoing the mulch a bit caused this.

And yes, I have pulled back the mulch a bit... maybe just smothered it or something?

I'm a container mulcher too and although I don't add the mulch until aprox 6 weeks after transplant can't see why you had a problem.

What kind of hardwood?

And even though I've been criticized on this forum before for using endangered cypress mulch will possibly do again this year. But maybe not... has anyone tried the recycled tire mulch?

Here is a link that might be useful: Not endangered in the least

Well, it's the Pro Choice double-shredded hardwood mulch stuff... comes in opaque white plastic bags at Home Depot. No fertilizers, additives, etc that I can discern.

The only tihng I can think is that I just happened to get a plant that just wasn't hardened off properly before being set out for sale? (bought this at Lowe's on a whim ... long story, but most of my seeds didn't make it this year) Otherwise, I guess I will just be much more careful about just piling the mulch into the container, and really try to keep it away from the base of the leaves as much as possible in the future...

I bought some of that mulch from Lowes mister internet. That stuff smelled so bad. I cannot believe the number of flies it attracted when put down. That was $6 I regret spending this year!! Plastic mulch in all beds for me from now on!!

However, I will till it into the soil at the end of the season and hopefully incorporate more organic material.

Chris

Haha... yes, I remember opening it at home and having to double-check the bag to make sure I hadn't gottne manure compost!! It stunk to high heaven... it's calmed down almost completely now, although it still doesn't smell all that great wet. :)