[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick Gross]

There are many cultivars of this species that require similar culture. Any should grow just fine in this area without any fertilizer but a little supplemental feeding might make the plant more vigorous. Our soils have abundant iron but I don't believe this species has a heavy iron appetite. Adding more would, I believe, be a waste.

There are too many variables here to nail down any specific reason although there might well be a cause obvious to someone familiar with the plant and its culture.

>From ten, you lost two bushes that flat out died in their tracks, one or more of the others showing signs of decline while the others remain green and healthy? There is something screwy here. 

The first thing one would think of is a faulty irrigation system in which some emiters are plugged or otherwise compromised.

If all these bushes were healthy and hearty for four years and most still are; if a number of these bushes are in good health, the problem has to be localized in the area of the dead ones. I have no clue what that could be but the original pot may have been root bound, the root ball may have come apart when removed from the container, planted too deep, too shallow, something like that perhaps would probably affect longevity.

What is the normal lifespan for these plants? Our climate takes a toll. A species may live for thirty years in Nebraska but climatic stresses could cut a poorly adapted lifespan by two thirds in the Sonora desert.

Are any branches growing offensively from these into a neighbors yard where Roundup might have accidently contacted the foliage?

People have different concepts about deep watering. A thorough soak at least 3 feet deep flushing salt compounds out of the root system is standard procedure here for most established plants. Depth should be monitored with a soil probe but, depending on the soil texture and compaction, irrigation for four hours could concievably leave sections dry.

If fertilizers are not properly applied in the right place to the appropriate depth, a little could make a plant healthy; a tiny more could be toxic.

You could have the soil analyzed but that expense doesn't always lead to solutions.

I would buy a new plant now, set it in a dead hole and see what happens.

There are dozens of web sites covering this species. This is one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photinia You may not find an answer to your problem but you will know a lot more about the idiosyncrasies of the many varieties of Photinia. Let us know about your resolution. The above is only nipping around the edges but we may all learn something from the discourse.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: <irene at stein-cox.com>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 8:20 AM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> irene clark
> 85308
> irene at stein-cox.com
> 
> I live in northwest Glendale. I have two 10 foot long hedges of photinia, which are located on the north and northwest area of our house. For the previous four years, the hedges have looked beautiful and deep green in color. Within the last year, I lost three of 12 bushes - one at the end of a row, and two in the center of a row. The leaves start off by drying out along the edges, then eventually turn all brown. Eventually, the whole bush is dry and dead! I feed the (live) bushes with Miracle Grow, and give them iron granules (I think it's called "Iron Yield" per a recommendation by one of the larger nurseries in town), and deep water. Still, I can tell I am going to lose more! Two bushes are turning very pale green/yellow, with progressive leaf burning. I can send photos if that will help. I cannot get a straight answer from the many gardeners, nursery staff, and even "The Garden Guy" as to what is going on and how to PREVENT and CURE it. I do not want to lose the hedges, a!
> s well as any replacements that I will plant (I've already lost two replacments to the same cause). 
> 
> 
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