What Is Wrong With Wheelers Dwarf Pittosporum?

Question

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.

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Answer 1

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