Yellowing fatsia japonica ? why

Help!!! My Fatsia japonica leaves are turning very yellow. They did this last year and I tried all the usual feeds seaweed, epsom salts, miracle grow ect. This year I gave it a good hair cut in the spring but alas all the new growth is turning yellow again!! Also a magnolia planted near it is also turning yellow!! :confused: Anyone got any advice? I've thought of trying Tomorite. Ps I have very chalky soil

 

You've already answered your question, its the alkalinity. You could try some sequestered iron from a garden centre which might help, or a peat mulch if you can bear the environmental cost, or you can apply flowers of sulphur to the soil (put a clothes peg on your nose). Either way you'll have to do it at least once a year (in spring preferably). Alternatively you could use miracle gro rhody and azalea foliar feed, which works a treat. Don't use Tomorite, it will not help, although an acidifying fertilizer would. This could be a long topic methinks..

 

Incidentally seaweed and epsom salts could raise the pH further so better not to use them either.

 

Thanks jazid. I have use sequestered iron but probably as I was using epsom salts also I was counteracting it's benefits. i'll give the Miracid a try and look out for some acidifying fertilizer. I've got my bags ready for a trip to get my free compost from our green bins as my soil is dreadful, full of chalk. This might help the situation also. thanks again

 

If you can find it try Sincron. Most manufacturers fall over themselves to suggest their fertilizer ISNT acidifying as they are trying to sell mostly to plant producers who grow in already acidic media and want amelioration. I have had this problem, its big but badly advertised, they suffer with it at Wisley. The groundwater in the S.E. is getting more alkaline and bark mulch, mushroom composts etc just make things worse. Room for serious dscussion in the gardening press. Good luck. If you want to buy in bulk there are also much better sequestered iron forms.

 

Cheers! you sound as though you really know your stuff. I'll keep in touch.

 

Needs must GC. I have the same problem and its been playing havoc with my clients roses - especially a formal garden full of Sharifa Asma. I haven't cured it yet sadly but am working on it.

 

on the same topic, I've got a fatsia japonica in a pot that I'm planning to plant out. Until I saw this thread the acid soil requriements had never occured to me! Will it be ok in my neutral soil or should I dig a big hole and fill it with ericacious compost??

 

Oh, well i should have been clearer. Fatsia is pretty tough and grows fine in neutral soil. It seems to be when the alkalinity is either at a high enough level or is raised by the fertilizers/composts/tap water. I wouldn't worry, and sorry to have inadvertently suggested that Fatsias require acid conditions. May it become big and jungly

 

Thanks for setting my mind at rest Jazid!