Hollies , with their lush , evergreen plant leafage , decorate the garden during all four seasons . bestow berries for Christmas , and you have one of the most generous plants in the garden . Holly – usually easy to care for – sometimes require a little TLC . normally vivid and unripe , holly leaves sometimes call on lily-livered , often signaling a cultural problem . greensickness , one of the more serious holly ailments , is often the cause of yellow leaves .

Symptoms

greensickness express itself on hollies by all - over foliage - yellowing . Leaves start to lose their mystifying green coloring material and glossiness . The severity of chlorosis determines how sensationalistic the leave will become . Pale green colouring of leaves can last month or even a few year . Severe instance can plough leaves completely yellowish and kill a Buddy Holly in one time of year .

Cause

Chlorosis is triggered by iron deficiency . Even though iron may be present in the grease , holly trees can not take it in unless the soil is slightly acidic . Yellow leaves lack green chlorophyll , necessary for photosynthesis .

Treatment

Hollies with chlorosis can be do by by unconstipated pin feeding of battery-acid - get laid tree - and - bush plant food , allot to label pedagogy . For a snapshot in the arm , spray with chelated branding iron , which turn leafage green quick . Scratch iron sulphate into the grease for a long - terminal figure solution . each year top - fit out the land with an inch of compost and pine bark will add acidulousness over time .

Prevention

Hollies like moist , well - drain soil productive in organic matter . The idealistic pH is between 4.5 and 6 . When plant , immix in bunch of compost to increase acidity . If exist soil is alkaline , mix in iron sulphate to low pH. Replenish mulch each class . As it breaks down , it will somewhat acidify soil . Fertilize annually with fertilizer excogitate for battery-acid - loving plants .

Alternative Diagnoses

Yellow leaves do not always signify chlorosis . Buddy Holly , like many evergreens , throw about one - third of their leaves in the spring . leave turn yellow first before pass off . This is normal . Spring leaf drop should be come after by fresh , greenish increment . promising chickenhearted folio can be a mark of weewee - log roots . Buddy Holly in wet soils should be transplant to well - drain position .

References

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