As a rule, an all purpose fertilizer is an appropriate red tip photinia fertilizer and will take care of the plant’s basic nutrient needs. Feeding photinias starts in late spring and may be done once a month up until September. Mix into soil a granular food with high phosphorus content at installation.
How do you take care of a Red Robin Photinia?
Over time, Photinia ‘Red Robin’ will be an easy plant and will require little care and attention. However, you will need to water during dry periods over the first couple of growing seasons. Replenish the mulch and consider fertilising with an organic fertiliser each spring and autumn for the first couple of years.
How do you feed a Photinia plant?
Feeding photinias starts in late spring and may be done once a month up until September. Mix into soil a granular food with high phosphorus content at installation. Mix it well to a depth of at least 18 inches (46 cm.) and water the plant deeply once you have placed soil around the roots and base of plant.
When should I Feed my red tip photinia?
Feeding photinias is recommended in areas with more challenging soil consistencies and where nutrients are low. Gardeners wondering, when should I feed my red tip photinia, should rely upon common plant guidelines. The best time for most plant fertilizing is just prior to the new year’s flush of growth in late winter to early spring.
How do you take care of a Red Robin hedge?
Pruned ‘Red Robin’ hedges Over time, Photinia ‘Red Robin’ will be an easy plant and will require little care and attention. However, you will need to water during dry periods over the first couple of growing seasons.
What is the best fertilizer for photinia?
Photinias don't generally need additional feeding, except on poor soils or to encourage more growth. In which case, scatter a general-purpose fertiliser, such as Growmore, on the surrounding soil in spring, at the dose stated on the packet.
What do I feed my Red Robin?
You will need to feed your Red Robin (Photinia) with a balanced slow release fertiliser which also has trace elements such as Vitax Q4 or a granulated slow release fertiliser which is now available for shrubs If you have repotted your Photinia in a brand multi purpose compost there will be enough nutrients in the ...
How do you feed a Red Robin Bush?
Fill with either standard multi-purpose compost or a John Innes type loam. The plant should be fed monthly between mid March to mid August with a handful of blood, fish and bone. It will of course require regular watering. Wait each time until the top 3cm of the compost is dry and then water well.
How do you thicken up a Red Robin?
Pinching out the top shoots will make the smaller ones send out side shoots and thicken up. Keeping those cut once they exceed your desired width will add to the bushiness.
How do you make a Red Robin bushier?
2:336:42Photinia red robin spring or summer trim / prune - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you can look further up um often it's at a node that you'll you'll get new shoots coming offMoreAnd if you can look further up um often it's at a node that you'll you'll get new shoots coming off from the side so we want to encourage some new shoots from lower. Down.
Is Epsom salt good for photinia?
A tablespoonful of Epsom salts dissolved in a gallon of water and applied at or soon after applying the other fertiliser will help prevent a deficiency, which would otherwise result in the plant taking Magnesium out of the older leaves to put into the new ones.
Does photinia need ericaceous compost?
It will tolerate partial shade. It likes acid soil, so forget about it in a border if your soil is strongly alkaline and grow in a pot. Mine is neutral, so I dug a larger than normal planting hole and filled it with ericaceous compost, raking in some slow-release acid fertiliser.
How often should you water photinia?
Correct watering is critical for any plant, During your Photinia Red Robins' first and second years, water when there is a dry spell. Once established, you should only need to water in severe, prolonged drought. It's easy to spot if your Photinias need water as the leaves begin to droop – just like most other plants.
Why is my Photinia Red Robin dying?
The Red Robin is susceptible to fungus both on the leaves and in the roots. The curling of the leaves can be a telltale sign of root fungus, if so, probably from over watering. It can also be a leaf fungus. Take a spade and dig around the roots a bit, if you see white attached to the roots you have a fungus.
How do you rejuvenate Red Robin?
Each year, cut out one-half to one-third of the stems to about 6 inches (15 cm.) above the ground. Begin with the oldest and largest stems and then cut the weak and misshapen ones. After three or four years, the shrub will be completely rejuvenated.
How can I make my Red Robin grow faster?
First, thin older branches to stimulate growth of new shoots, and clear the center so that light can reach it. The more you prune it, the faster it grows. Frequent and drastic pruning will favor growth and make red leaves appear.
What month do you prune red Robins?
Red robins respond well to hard pruning throughout the growing season, but respond best when the "haircut" occurs during the most aggressive period of growth. This usually happens about 4-6 weeks after the start of the growing season—for instance, late April or early May if the season starts in late March.
Why do Red Robin leaves go brown?
ANSWER: Red Robins with significant areas of brown leaves are a sign of too much moisture or too little. In most cases it is because of too much water. Heavy clay is not their ideal soil and should be improved with lots of well rotted organic matter and horticultural grit at planting time.
What month do you prune red Robins?
Red robins respond well to hard pruning throughout the growing season, but respond best when the "haircut" occurs during the most aggressive period of growth. This usually happens about 4-6 weeks after the start of the growing season—for instance, late April or early May if the season starts in late March.
How do you prune a Red Robin?
Pruning Photinia Red Robin – When Wait until the first of the new foliage has turned from red to green – generally about six weeks into the new season. Thereafter, you can prune with some vigour every time the foliage goes from red to green and on to a dull bronze.
Why has my Red Robin gone green?
It's normal. The new foliage starts red and eventually turns green. If you trim them a bit they will put on fresh red foliage which is why this plant makes such an interesting hedge.
Choosing the right position
The Photinia Red Robin is a hardy plant, hence it can survive in tough environments and will grow in most parts of the UK. However, perfect conditions for growth include well-drained soils with good ventilation and they prefer plenty of sun but will grow okay in a partially shaded area too.
Caring for Photinia Red Robin
Although Photinia plants may take a while to establish themselves, once they do, there is no stopping them. When first planted they do need frequent watering but once established it is just a case of pruning to retain shape and remove any diseased or dead sections. Only during longer periods of dry weather would they need watering.
Planting photinia
Usually, if you buy plants from a nursery, they haven’t fully matured so they will need some attention. You will need to replant it in your garden or in a sizeable pot that can house the plant permanently. Whether you plant them in the garden or a pot, ensure the hole is at least twice the size of the root ball.
How to propagate Photinia
The Photinia Red Robin is a hybrid between Photinia and Fraseri; therefore, it may be challenging for the plant to produce seeds. However, you can purchase these seeds online and plant them successfully. The challenge of propagating Photinia Red Robin seeds is that they require stratification, and this takes time.
Photinia problems
Plants are susceptible to attacks from pests and diseases. It is up to you to note any issues with the plant and act quickly to prevent irreparable damage. While it is normal for Photinia Red Robin to drop leaves occasionally, excessive defoliation or discoloured leaves are a point of concern.
Pests that attack Photinia Red Robin
Mites do not do a lot of damage unless in large populations. These insects suck the nutrients from the leaves causing them to discolour. These tiny pests are hard to see, but they leave tiny webs behind that are easily identifiable.
What type of soil does Red Robin need?
What Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ will need is a fertile, humus-rich type of soil, which is clay, loam or sand, and which is neutral or acidic. It will not thrive in alkaline conditions. The soil should be moist but relatively free-draining.
What is a red robin?
Photinia, technically Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a popular red-leaved cultivar of Photinia, also known as ‘ Christmas berry’. This is a genus of North American and Asian shrubs, and most forms used in gardens are forms of the hybrid Photinia x fraseri, evergreen hybrids which are grown for their colourful young foliage.
What are some good neighbours for a red robin?
Some examples of good neighbours for a Red Robin shrub include variegated Euonymous cultivars, Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’, and, on acidic sites, small Japanese Acers, and Pieris, perhaps with ground cover of Pachysandra terminalis ‘Variegata’ underneath. Thomas O'Rourke July 2, 2021.
Where did Red Robin get its name?
The hybrid is named after Fraser plant nurseries in Alabama, in the US, where it was discovered in 1943. The ‘Red Robin’ cultivar was subsequently developed in New Zealand. It has since become by far the most popular of all Photinias grown in gardens.
Is Red Robin a good plant for a garden?
pH. Neutral / Acidic. Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is almost a garden cliché due to its popularity, but there is good reason for that and it could still be a great choice for your garden. Many gardeners and landscapers choose this useful shrub for their gardens. But just because this is a common choice, that does not mean that it is one to avoid.
Can a red robin compete with a photinia?
These shrubs do not compete well with overly hungry or thirsty neighbours and may suffer if placed too close to particularly vigorous plants. Surrounding the Photinia with smaller, slow-growing plants that mesh well with the colourful foliage of the ‘Red Robin’ is best.
Do you water red robin hedges?
However, you will need to water during dry periods over the first couple of growing seasons.
Do photinias need water?
It’s easy to spot if your Photinias need water as the leaves begin to droop – just like most other plants. And remember – Photinia Red Robin responds as adversely to water-logging as, for example, Lavender.
Is a photinia red robin greedy?
Photinia Red Robin Care – Feeding. Photinia Red Robin is not a greedy plant and will generally grow well unaided. There are, though, a few circumstances when a little help will be needed: Choice of Fertiliser: As noted in an earlier post, blood, fish and bone works extremely well. If you prefer a proprietary brand then gor for Vitax Q4 or similar.
What is the red tip of photinia?
The red tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri) is the one you're most likely to find for sale, although Japanese (Photinia glabra) and Chinese (Photinia serrulata) varieties are also available with slight differences in appearance and growth. Photinia grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 9.
Can a photinia grow in poor soil?
Royal Horticultural Society: Photinia. Tips. Photinia adapts to a variety of soils and can do well even in poor soil, such as clay. Warnings. Photinia is susceptible to leaf spot if left in continually wet conditions. Writer Bio. Lori Lapierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in public relations/communications.
What is a red robin?
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a shrub which has become extremely popular in recent years, and can be used for a wide variety of situations, even trimmed as a ‘standard’ to give a tree-like shape to provide evergreen screening above a 6ft fence or wall.
Can you spray a photinia with fungicide?
However, it tends to be already stressed plants that are worst affected. You can control these fungal leaf spot diseases to a point using general fungicides, such as those for spraying roses, but an otherwise healthy and well-fed Photinia will usually just shrug-off leaf spot and continue to grow happily regardless.
Can photinias get leaf spots?
These spots can easily be mistaken for a fungal leaf spot disease. This doesn’t of course mean that Photinias can’t be affected by leaf spot diseases, of course they can, as are most plants in some form. However, it tends to be already stressed plants that are worst affected.
Do photinias grow in shade?
It is a vigorous, large-leafed evergreen, mainly grown for the bright red colour of the young leaves, which gradually mature to a glossy dark green – or should do! There are a number of factors which could be involved here. Photinias don’t do particularly well in shade or in close proximity with large, established trees.
Kay Darke asks..
I had a fully grown (pot grown) photinia planted in front of a fence about three and a half years ago. It took a while to get going, and lost almost all its leaves, but it seemed to rally just fine and last year it was covered with lovely white flowers. This is the only time it flowered. Will it do so again? I've never pruned it. Should I?
Bill replies..
Photinia (Red Robin) Kay is usually grown for its beautiful red leaves and these appear on newly formed shoots and regular pruning will encourage new shoots and obviously new red leaves. With regard to the flowering of your Photinia flowers will appear frequently on large established plants which do not receive regular pruning.
Jane Simms asks..
I am about to plant a photinia hedge and was wondering what shrubs to plant in the bed in front of it to set each other off best. I have about 12 foot to fill
Bill replies..
I do feel that it is important Jane not to incorporate very vigorous growing shrubs which will be in direct competition with your Photinia Hedge for nutrients and water and therefore I would recommend a mixture of shrubs and herbaceous plants/ornamental grasses, a selection of which I am listing below;
James Newton asks..
I am planting 5 Photinia 'Red Robin' into large Terracotta pots and underplanting with dwarf narcissus Tete a Tete. When is the best time to do this? Autumn? How long can I expect the Photinias to live in these pots before they have to be removed and transplanted?
Bill replies..
If your five Photinia plants are already growing in containers you can repot these into large terracotta pots and you do not need to wait until autumn time - these can be transplanted now (May).
Christopher asks..
My gardener planted a 50 foot length of photina approximately 6 foot high in May 2007. It grew fantastically last year with lots of new foliage and a fantastic flowering in late May. I decided to give it its first light prune at the beginning of March this year since the height needed bringing down taking off approximately 1 foot.
