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Australian Native Plants

grevillea leaves yellow

18 years ago

I have had a grevillea 'long john' in the garden for about two years. It's not large, but has been doing fairly well in semi-shaded clay soil. A number of leaves have suddenly begun to turn yellow. It isn't flowering currently. How do I know if it is too wet or too dry, or if there is another reason for this? I am landscaping the rest of the yard next month. If it's going to die soon, I'll choose another plant for that spot. Any suggestions wil be appreciated.

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Comments (2)

trish_g
18 years ago
It could be several things.
Grevilleas as a group tend to like dryness and good drainage. It may have decided that your soil is too heavy for it. They can succeed in clay soil, but if you have a heavy cracking clay you would do better to choose another plant. (Though Grevilleas can be grown on such soil in raised beds of something lighter)
The roots near the surface are crucial. They hate disturbance, so digging around the roots can make them miserable. They love a mulch of something well-aerated like coarse woodchips, which they can get their roots up into. (A shallow layer of compost and leafmould under this is good). Sometimes adding mulch can save a plant which is hating its damp, heavy soil, by giving its roots somewhere to go.
They hate root competition, especially from grass, which should be kept well outside the dripline.
They are prone to phosphorus poisoning, so you can kill them by using a normal "balanced" fertiliser. Here we use a special low-phosphorus fertiliser for them, or refrain from fertilising at all. They really don't need it, as their roots are super-efficient at using what little nutrient there is, in a poor soil. (which is why they OD if given a too-rich environment).
Best of luck
Trish
mervsmith_live_com_au
15 years ago
I have planted robin gorden grevilleas in and some have died I put in ph 7 soil in first and now the rest of leaves are turning yellow and are dying what can I do to save them.

Regards Merv Smith
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