We have had our pittosporum plant for about 5 years and it has never flowered. When do they flower and how do we encourage it to flower - before we decide to reshape it?
Pruning is likely to reduce flowering. I would recommend fertilizing at least once per year. If this doesn't usually happen, then I suspect this to be the case. Is there any other information about your environment that you could tell me? This may help to see what is happening. This article will give you more information on the general care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
My Pittosporum Eugeniodes hedge used to be very thick and lush but has recently started to loose leaves and appear thin. It used to block out the neighbours but now we can see straight through. The leaves are not yellowing or don't look sick but the shrub just looks like its thinning a lot. What is the likely cause? I live in Melbourne
It will be hard to know without photos of the hedge, and closeups as well. Sometimes, they just need a hard pruning to bring it back. You may need to fertilize, but this is rare.
Usually, regenerative pruning will be your best option. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
Hi, I'm wondering if possible relocating / replanting pittosporum green pillar plants We have about 15 that need to be moved. They are around 12 years old and stand at approx 1.5 - 2 metres tall. Healthy and thick ! Any advice would be appreciated Regards Lindon
Dig a trench around the shrub or tree using a sharp spade to the depth needed for the root ball. For example, a 4-foot-tall shrub needs a 16-inch-deep root ball.
Move the pittosporum to its new location.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball of the pittosporum you're moving and deep enough to allow the soil line evident on the pittosporum's trunk to sit an inch above the ground.
Place the pittosporum in the hole. Fill the hole in with the removed subsoil. Water the transplant to settle the subsoil.
Add topsoil to fill the top 6 inches of the hole and tamp down lightly. Mound additional soil in a circle around the plant to hold in moisture.
Check the pittosporum daily for the first two to three weeks to see if it needs watering. Consistent moisture levels ensure that the pittosporum grows well in its new location and regular checks ensure it isn't over- or under watered.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
I have a row of dwarf pittosporum in front of my porch. They have been there for at least 8 years and have basically survived 'on their own.' Now, some of them (the ones that get the most afternoon sun) have several branches that have dried and turned brown. I clipped them off, and watered thoroughly, but I see more branches looking like they are dying. The other shrubs that get more afternoon shade (but sun also) still look healthy. I don't know if this is a disease that is spreading, or due to the prolonged hot sun, or other issue. There are no pests on these shrubs.
You can treat for a fungal infection.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
Tree is 15 years old; tree looks healthy otherwise. We would like to not have to remove the tree/shrub if at all possible. Are there any anti-fungal treatments we can use?
In Pittosporum, foamy canker is usually an alchoholic flux that is a result of water deficit/drought stress or other environmental stress factors. It is usually not a pathogenic disease condition and is not a killer by itself or reason to remove the tree. Although the stress factors that are creating susceptibility to the alcoholic flux could be serious enough to cause decline and mortality.
"Providing plants with proper cultural care and preventing injuries to bark may help to prevent foamy canker."
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/DISEASES/foamycanker.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
Should be glossy green. Instead it is mottled- light green spots which eventually turn brown. Thinking some kind of nutritional deficiency? Tried Bauer 3 in 1, ornamental plant food, Fertilome.
Hm. This looks to resemble a soil infection. It is hard to control the weather, but they do not like it to be overly wet.
I would recommend testing the pH of the soil, then adjusting down to about 5.5 to 6. They prefer a rich acidic soil, so adding compost would be better than nutrients, since most nutrients are designed to be neutral in pH. Pittosporum will not tolerate this near as well, but will still grow at a higher pH.
You can adjust the soil pH down with Iron Sulfate, which will also kill the infection off.
This article will help you to care for Pittosporum: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
Here is an article that will help you with fungicide use, which will help when sprayed on the upper portions of the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
We have grown 3 Pittosporums about 1.8m planted about 1 year ago. They were doing well and suddenly the leaves at the end go brown, and it slowly affects the rest of the tree and all three are dying. Second time for this happening in 2.5 years. Both times it has been in summer. We get ok rain although it has been over 30 degrees, as has everywhere.
You don't say what species of Pittosporum you have, but in coastal California, Victorian Box have been dying from a syndrome called "Victorian box decline." The following linked article will give you an idea of the multiple factors that may be contributing. These cultural factors are important for plant health no matter what the species, so I would recommend that you address good soil fertility and water management first, in order to relieve the stress factors that may be making the trees susceptible to decline.
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=16512