Inkberry
gingerhill
20 years ago
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MissSherry
20 years agoRelated Discussions
Inkberry...HELP! yellow leaves
Comments (6)I have never grown inkberry, but I do grow blueberries here in Madison, WI, and I have to do periodic pH testing to keep them green & healthy. Inkberry is related to holly, and holly is said to prefer soil with pH in the range 5 to 6. The method that I am currently using to measure soil pH is with dye indicators. Using bromocresol purple indicator, it is possible to see pH in the range of 5 to 6.8. A test solution will be yellow when the pH is between 5 and 5.5, and it will be purple when the pH is between 6.4 and 6.8. You would take a one tablespoon sample of dirt, and mix with enough distilled water to make a slurry. Run this solution through a paper filter, using a funnel, and collect about one teaspoon of filtrate. Add just enough dye indicator to see the solution turn color, and note the color. If chlorosis is causing the yellow leaves, and you have put down sulfur to lower soil pH, you should see positive results in 4 to 6 weeks....See MoreInkberry (Ilex Glabra) and Black Walnut
Comments (5)I figure I'll answer my own question in case anyone is interested in the future. I posted this question to the NativePlantseast Yahoo group and got a response from a member who has several growing 40' away from Black Walnuts that are doing fine and one planted right under the Black Walnut that is doing poorly. So they seem to be somewhat susceptible to juglone when getting a "full dose". How they'd act with intermediate exposure is still a question. -Helen...See MoreCan you help me help my inkberries?
Comments (6)I'm also in MA and used to have inkberry (at a former home) with those exact problems. I even considered boxwood first, but it has its own set of issues and is more expensive. I didn't solve the problem--I moved to a new house instead!--so take this with a grain of salt. Yours don't look too bad to me. I think the yellow leaves are just part of the ordinary leaf-drop cycle and not a disease. The black spots are likely a common fungus. As far as the fungus goes, I would personally just clean up fallen leaves and wait to see if it gets worse, because I don't like to bother with fungicides or chemicals. Make sure they're getting enough water, preferably at the base rather than on the leaves, which can make the fungus worse. As for the bare insides, If you google "inkberry leggy" you'll find a lot of pruning advice. I'd suggest trying the pruning suggestions--not now, but maybe in March just before they start to grow in spring--and see if that helps. Next year they'll either look a little better, and you'll be happy, or a little worse, and you can pull them out and start with something new....See MoreInkberry Holly Leaves Turning Brown? Help!
Comments (5)sorta ... fyi.. never fert in the hole.. next time anyway ... next.. NOTHING needs water every few days ... learn how water moves thru your soil .. and you will over time ... and water when a plant needs water ... insert finger a couple inches.. and find out ... when you aare a beginner.. dig a few holes.. in the gob planted.. and in the surrounding soil ... to FIND OUT when its getting dry down at root level.. we really dont care about what the surface looks like .. a teaspoon is a good tool if you dont have a hand trowel ... next ... as spring progresses.. the plant WILL SHOW YOU what is live and what is dead .. we arent looking at the leaves .. they fall off .. we want to know what branches are live.. soooo .. just wait a month or so ... and see how the plant reacts .. and THEN you go a snippin ... so you know what to snip off .. this is a good lesson.. because some winters come along.. and do a lot of damage ... to evergreen leaves .. but not necessarily deeper into the plant .. and just about all plants can releaf.. if its just some leaf damage ... so.. there is no rush to do anything .. lastly.. perk your soil ... basically you dig a hole.. fill it with water.. and see how long it takes to drain by itself.. this gives you a lot of info on how water moves thru your soil.. and how to water properly and deeply ... if you learn nothing else in the garden.. but proper watering.. you can grow just about anything .... check some of these vids .. find one that makes it easy for you to understand .. it isnt rocket science .. lol ken https://duckduckgo.com/?q=how+to+perk+garden+soil&t=ffnt&iar=videos&iax=videos&ia=videos...See Moregingerhill
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