The Old Photinia Yellowing Problem

Photinia with yellowing and leaf scorch due to iron chlorosis. 

Q. I have a bank of Red Tipped Photinia of about 25 feet. They are 10+ years old. Two years ago they started turning yellow with brown edges. I have been everywhere and they say take them out. One place in January suggested adding 16-8-4 which I have done twice. Now they tell me to wait until late April to add anything else.

A. There are two problems going on; the soil is being depleted of organics and the photinia has developed iron chlorosis. To keep photinia dark green, both of these need to be present. This happens to photinia planted in our soils as the organics in the soil run out, usually in five years if none is added. It is worse if the soil around them is covered in rock mulch.

EDDHA iron chelate
1 lb  $14 / 5 lb $48

Put a layer of Viragrow compost around them along with iron chelate that is EDDHA.  Each plant should get about 1 to 2 tablespoons of this chelate sprinkled on the soil around them and watered in. Use about 2 to 3 cubic feet of compost around each plant Apply the compost to the soil and water that in as well.

Existing leaves will not turn green but leaves emerging after the chelate is applied will. The only way to get yellow leaves green again is to spray them with iron or cut the plants back and let them regrow after applying compost and iron EDDHA.

Bottom line, your photinia needs iron and improved soil.  the EDDHA iron along with compost and a normal, once a year fertilizer application. By the way, wood  chip mulch makes a big difference!!

Viragrow Delivers!