Photinia
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What Is the Best Fertiliser for Photinia?
Photinia, including the popular Red Robin variety, is a vigorous hedge that grows fast and produces bright red new foliage several times a year. To maintain this colour and density, regular fertiliser is essential. Without consistent feeding, plants become pale, sparse, and more prone to disease.
Nutrient Demands of Photinia
Photinia produces multiple flushes of growth each season, which quickly depletes soil nutrients. The main requirements are:
- Nitrogen (N): Fuels leafy growth and keeps foliage a deep green.
- Phosphorus (P): Supports root development and strong stems.
- Potassium (K): Promotes red shoot colour, plant strength, and resistance to leaf spot.
- Magnesium & trace elements: Prevent yellowing and maintain overall plant health.
Balanced feeding ensures hedges stay dense and produce vibrant red flushes multiple times a year.
Feeding Photinia for Colour and Growth
The best approach is regular, light feeding throughout the growing season. This keeps nutrients available and avoids stress between growth flushes.
- Spring: Apply fertiliser as plants wake from dormancy. This fuels the first flush of red leaves.
- Summer: Feed after trimming to support new shoot production.
- Autumn: Apply a final dose before cooler weather to maintain density through winter.
Liquid fertiliser is absorbed quickly, making it ideal for fast-growing hedges like Photinia. Water-soluble formulas also allow nutrients to move directly to the roots and leaves, showing results within days.
Common Fertiliser Problems in Photinia
Photinia responds quickly to fertiliser, but several mistakes can reduce results. Overfeeding nitrogen creates lush green growth but weakens resistance to fungal leaf spot. Infrequent feeding leaves hedges thin, with fewer red shoots. The solution is balanced, consistent nutrition.
For reliable growth and colour, the best option is Complete Grow All Purpose Liquid NPK 20-20-20. It provides balanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium with added micronutrients, ensuring both strong green foliage and the vibrant red flushes that make Photinia a standout hedge.
FAQ โ Fertilising Photinia
What fertiliser is best for Photinia? A balanced liquid NPK such as Complete Grow 20-20-20.
How often should I fertilise Photinia? Every 4โ6 weeks in the growing season, and after trimming.
Can I use slow-release fertiliser? Yes, but liquid feeding gives faster, more consistent results.
Why is my Photinia not producing red shoots? Often due to lack of fertiliser or poor timing of pruning and feeding.
Will fertiliser fix yellow leaves? Yes, balanced feeding corrects nitrogen or magnesium deficiencies causing yellowing.
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What is NPK 20-20-20 Fertiliser?
