Yellowing Loropetalum

18 years ago

I have a loropetalum in my yard that has been established for about 1 year. It receives good morning sun and shade throughout the afternoon. As new red foliage appeared this past spring, existing foliage began to turn yellow. Now, going into mid summer, a majority of the leaves are yellow.

I initially assumed that it was iron deficiency, but adding iron seemed to have no effect. I still assume it is some type of mineral or other deficiency, but not sure what. Can someone tell me what may be causing this yellowing or perhaps how to diagnose the problem? If it is a mineral deficiency, whatÂs the best way to determine which mineral is lacking? Any wisdom appreciated!

Featured Answer

Dibbit

18 years ago

How much rain have you been getting? Too much, or too little, could cause these symptoms. The best way to tell is to dig around the roots, down about 6". Unless you JUST got over an inch of rain, it should be damp down there. If it is soggy - too much water - and if it is barely damp, or dry - not enough. If wet, see if you can adjust the drainage. If too dry, water and keep watering as the soil is dry again down about 2".

If it hasn't rained, but the soil is soggy, is there a pipe that could have a leak nearby? Or is it next to either the dryer outlet - too dry - or the drip from the AC?

Another possibility is that there is a soil0borne fungus, but that's less likely than water. However, if it looks like the water is good, then take sample leaves/dirt to your county extension agent - look in the phone book under county offices. If your county doesn't have one, look under state offices - there WILL be one somewhere. If it's at a distance, call, and see if they can diagnose from digital photos, and get the e-mail address, or have them give you the address of the state laboratory, and send the samples directly there with a cover letter.

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Comments (7)

spazzycat_1
18 years ago
My guess would be too much water. Newly planted Loropetalums practically sailed through the drought last year.
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aust
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks very much for the responses! Over watering is likely the issue. While we have not had too much rain, the shrub is near 2 watering heads, one of which is dedicted to it. The soil around the plant is very moist, almost muddy. I've cut off the "dedicated" head to let the ground dry up. I'll monitor the results and see if the head needs to be partially turned back on if the soil gets too dry.

Thanks again for the advise. I'll let you know how it goes!
aust
Original Author
18 years ago
Okay, after 1 month of very reduced watering the loropetalum has not improved. It still is very yellow. Perhaps I have reduced the watering too much, because the ground is rather dry now...

Any other suggests? If not I'll try to track down the county extension agent for soil analysis as suggested by dibbit above. Thanks for any help!!!
margaretclare51
6 years ago
is the soil acidic? It needs that!
Brandi Branham
5 years ago
I'm seeing a similar problem in one if my loropetalums, and I'm wondering if it might be damaged by carpenter bees. That happened last year to the camelia that's in front of her. Anyone ever have this happen?
smilam
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Alkaline soil, the iron cannot be taken up into the plant. Try elemental sulfur along with the iron.