I have cocopeat, Vermicompost and Garden soil. In what ratio should I use them for pots. Is there any other material which I can use?
I would recommend that, about, half of your mix needs to be cocopeat. This will help negate the effects of thick garden soil and thicker vermicompost. You can add the other two ingredient in equal parts to make of the other half.
So, one part vermicompost, one part garden soil, and two parts cocopeat will be ideal.
Test for good pH range, to be sure, and amend if necessary.
Be sure that you do not keep the soil too wet. It needs to dry out, thoroughly, down to about 2 or 3 inches between waterings. You may need a fungicide to combat an infection at this time.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/soil-ph-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
I have some Screenmaster Pittosporum plants along my fence, they are all turning a brown patchy colour over the leaves and have some bugs on them, would the bugs be causing this problem or could it be something else?
Try some Neem oil on the plants. It should help whether it is fungal or insects.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
Do I cut it back to the main branch, or do I try and remove the dense twigs near the centre, keeping the few leaves on the hedge? No disease or pests noticed.
These shrubs need annual pruning to look their best. They tolerate very heavy pruning, so don't be afraid to go heavy with the shears! This article will help you to care for the shrub:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
We had 200 hours of below freezing temps, including one night if a negative one degree. My dozens of mature pittosporum bushes have leaves that have turned brown and are falling off. Will they survive?
They can survive freezing temperatures, and in fact, will grow down to zone 8. However, that extreme cold night may have caused some damage.
At this point, I wouldn't do a whole lot to them. Once you start to see some new growth, you can figure out what is in need of removal. Anything that refuses to put out new growth will need to be pruned.
Sometimes, B Vitamins that are meant for plants can help them to recover from shock, but this is not guaranteed.
While you wait for recovery, these articles will give you a chance to catch up on some reading about the shrub:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum
I live north of Houston. Has a pretty shape but never has flowered. It is six years old.
This article should help. They need a slow release, all purpose (10-10-10) fertilizer in spring. Avoid pruning for a while. You may be cutting off buds. Once it does bloom, prune immediately after flowering.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
d damage our fence & patio slab? Would topping the trees make them fuller? All the mess falls on our side of the fence, so thinking a good trimming would help.a
I don't think the roots of this tree are terribly invasive, although they will seek out nearby water.
This article has a bit of info about trimming/pruning them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
It's okay to do a hard pruning on these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/rejuvenation-pruning-tips.htm
Please help! I just planted new 5-gallon silver sheens. Three of them got crispy and died, so I replaced them. Of the new ones, the one that is in full sun every day is starting to get dried, crispy leaves. I’ve been watering them quite a bit since they’ve only been in the ground about 10-14 days (nursery told me the new plants would need a lot of water) and it’s been close to 100 degrees in LA. By quite a bit I mean spraying them with a hose for 30 seconds each (daily) and running a drip irrigation for 30 mins every other day. I’ve been watering the crispy one extra, but it seems like I’m losing :( I added a photo of the new one and the old one. You can post the question/answer to send it to me directly - either works!
This drought tolerant, hardy plant has one kryptonite... Wet soil.
This shrub will appreciate drier conditions, so you should let the soil dry out, thoroughly, down to about 3 or 4 inches between waterings. Likely, unless you are experiencing a drought, you will not need to water at all.
I would treat with a fungicide, and keep the soil more on the dry side. Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/pittosporum/growing-japanese-pittosporum.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm