My Pieris is in a large tub and I need help with how to take care of it now, especially over winter. Thank you in advance. sarah.
Pieris needs acidic soil and won't do well in alkaline soil. It also needs full to part shade. It is hardy to USDA zones 5 which is -20 to -15 in winter (-29 to -26 C). If your area gets colder than that you can overwinter it in a garage or shed. Just don't forget to water it occasionally!
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/japanese-andromeda/grow-japanese-andromeda.htm
new shoots started from low down. The plant is in ericasias soil and I have a food from the local nursery ? Can anyone help ?
If this is newly planted, like within this week, then it could be many things. It could be heat related, or overwatering trying to compensate for heat. It appears most like a fungal infection.
You will have to treat with a fungicide. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
They are, also, intolerant of full sun. They need partial shade, to full shade in order to flourish.
This article will help you with the care of these shrubs: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/japanese-andromeda/grow-japanese-andromeda.htm
Plant is situated below a tree canopy.
Unfortunately, your photo did not come through. I am unable to identify what is making the holes.
Things that cause holes can include insect damage, rodent damage, bacterial and fungal infections, humans (mostly children) and spiders on occasion, depending on how it appears, and where.
In the meantime, this article will help you with their care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/japanese-andromeda/grow-japanese-andromeda.htm
It came up beautiful pink leaves in spring but now the leaves are dying and falling off and it looks infected.
This looks to be sooty mold. Usually, this is caused by insect damage, but can be brought about by soils that do not have a chance to dry out between watering, also.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm
I purchased and planted a Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica "Valley Rose") on May 1, 2020. About 6 weeks ago I noticed that a few stems (branches) had died completely, but the rest of the bush looked great. I have a water meter, and made sure it was watered, used need oil spray, and removed the dead stems. Still some (stems) are dying, completely.....but not the plant. Ironically, these bushes are planted next to a pieris "Mountain Fire" which has not been affected. But all my "Ostrich" ferns showed the same problem; dead stems.
This looks to be an infection from just a little too much moisture. Make sure your moisture meter reads between moist and dry, and not wet, between watering. It needs to dry out a little, but not dry out all of the way. Overwatering will cause fungal infections very quickly, and suffocate roots.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/japanese-andromeda/grow-japanese-andromeda.htm
Sometimes, alkaline soil can cause issues, but if you have another nearby- This is probably not the case.
Pls help - My pieris has dropped all its leaves within last ten days! though it has one tiny shoot which looks well and is producing flower! Leaves all over ground - initially thought it must be a caterpillar to see so many leaves gone - no caterpillars to be seen - dry summer - sw facing against small brick wall - plant approx 3'6" tall and almost same girth - use only rain water - recent HEAVY rain - fed with ericaceous feed just once this summer fed twice last summer - normally have not fed over past 21 yrs but given top up ericaceous soil top up or pine needle mulch - pls advise asap
Here are some interesting facts about this plant:
it is in the ericaceous family, with several diseases (leaf spot, Phytophthora stem infestations) and pests (lacebug, scale, mite, and nematode) that may lead to the decline, dieback, and death of the plant, especially when it is under additional abiotic stresses (alkaline soil pH, wet soils, full sun, etc.) that predispose it to biotic attack.(https://hvp.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/description/pi_onica.html)
Let's hope it's not that serious, but it's true that excess water can cause leaves to drop: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/plant-dropping-leaves.htm and also makes the plant vulnerable to pests and disease. You should inspect your plant very carefully for signs of infestation.
My Pieris Japonica once looked beautiful (see photo with red foilage) but over the last couple of years it has lost colour. It is still alive and does get new growth, but new leaves often drop off and discolour. I've tried various fertilisers, feeds, and iron and sulphur products. I'm wondering if drainage is the issue (root rot maybe?). How can I fix that given that it is in the ground and not potted?
Root rot is, certainly, contributing to the issue. I don't think that it started with this, though.
I am noticing signs of spider mite infestation, and bacterial infection. I'm willing to bet that they are related! Spider mites, along with their own set of symptomatic damage, will bring about infections to your plants as well.
Before adding anything else to the soil, I would remove that layer of debris from the entire bed. Any infected foliage that falls will become a vector for contamination, so removing and destroying it will help stop the spread of contamination.
After, you can treat the plants and soil with a fungicide. Wettable sulfur will suffice, though copper fungicides will be stronger.
Spider mites will need repeated pesticide exposure to kill them and their eggs.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-control.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biofungicide-information.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/homemade-fungicide.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/japanese-andromeda/grow-japanese-andromeda.htm