Yellow leaves on Lady in Red

15 years ago

The inner or lower leaves on my Lady in Red are turning yellow. The plant is blooming and seems healthy. It is planted under some trees and doesn't get any direct sun, the trees are limbed up so it's a bright area just no direct sun. I have a pee wee an alison(oak leaf) and a blushing bride all in that area. I'm new to hydrangeas but not gardening. When my container gardenias have yellow leaves I know its an iron issue but not sure about this H.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

luis_pr
15 years ago
It works the same as with gardenias, stan1164. If the leaves yellow out or turn light green while the leaf veins remain dark green then you have iron chlorosis.

If the leaf is completely turning yellow or bleaching, then you have too much sun, soil moisture issues, insect problems or even mineral defficiencies (nitrogen). In this case, you can probably/sortof/maybe cross out sunscald because the plant is under the tree and gets little direct sunlight. If say it that way because you shold determine if this tree has shallow roots that may be growing near/around the hydrangea to steal its water. Local nurseries and gardening books can assist if you do not know what type of tree you have. After all, remember that a tree canopy can act as an umbrella that prevents some rain water from reaching certain places under the canopy. A sprinkler or hand watering would help in these cases.

That leaves watering issues or mineral defficiencies. The second possibility requires a soil test to validate it so first try to determine if the plant is getting enough water instead. It is easier. For a week or so, insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 3-4" (not counting the mulch) every day to check soil moisture. Water if it feels almost dry or dry. If it feels moist, skip watering. If it feels wet, the plant could be getting too much water and this can lead to root rot, whose symptoms match those of not getting enough water.

Pests that can cause leaves to yellow are mites. Mites like to such the cell contents from the leaf tissue and the leaf turns yellow and/or brown. If mites are present, some will be easily dislodged into a white 8.5x11" sheet of paper on the ground if you shake the shrub. Tiny moving specks indicate the presence of spider mites. A miticide can be sprayed but I would try releasing some lady bugs first at night after the area has been watered so it is humid and the lady buds have a source of water.

Luis
donna1952
15 years ago
Luis, I have the same condition on some newly started hydrangeas. You indicate an iron defiency - I have some iron granules, and wonder how to apply them: dry or liquid. You are a great resource for us all. Thank you!
Related Discussions
Yellow leaves on Dark Lady
Q
Comments (1)
Yellowing leaves have many causes, nutrient related, maybe related to mechanical damage, the plant cannot get moisture to support growth, which includes getting soil nutrients. How the leaves are yellowing can be a clue as to what the problem might be.
...See More
Star Ruby Red Grapefruit leaves yellowing.. help
Q
Comments (20)
@Vladimir - Star Ruby was created by irradiating a Henderson GF. RUBY RED WAS A NATURALLY OCCURRING SPORT OF PINK GRAPEFRUIT. Many Red grapefruit varieties lose color the longer they hang on the tree late in season. The goal is to find varieties that are redder/sweeter and hold their color. Technically any man made hybrid or cross is a "GMO", I think people make too big a deal over it. Nobody has died yet or gotten sick yet from eating Star Ruby GF.
...See More
Flowering Red Gum, sickly with yellowing leaves
Q
Comments (0)
Hello, I've recently moved into a rental that has a garden that must have once been spectacular but has been neglected. two medium sized flowering red gums planted near each other that aren't looking too good. The leaves are yellowing and sparse. I'm not sure what the culprit is, but flowering red gums are so beautiful, I'd like to save them if I can. I suspect it's some kind of parasite, but am not sure what, or what to do about it. If anyone has any advice, I'd be super grateful :)
...See More
Kale and collard leaves turning red and yellow!!
Q
Comments (3)
They seem fine, maybe do need more water since that raised planter probably dries out fast. The older leaves are just dying off, the leaves that have grown since you planted them are fine. You do seem to have some planted double, and in double rows. They should be planted single for better growth, collards and kale will get large. Probably should have only four plants in that planter, you have more than eight.
...See More
stan1164
Original Author
15 years ago
I called a local gardening radio show on Saturday and the "garden girls" seem to think that lady in red is a very heavy feeder and it is probably due to that. I have always thought that hydrangeas didn't need a lot of fertilizer. I'll try feeding it and see what happens.
stan1164
Original Author
15 years ago
I increased the water and added a little fertilizer and it seems to have done the trick. I'm new to hydrangeas and am suprised that lady in red is so different from the others I have. I have a about 15 or 16 others and all of them seem to be doing fine. I haven't found any serrata for sale here in east Tennessee but I'm always looking.