Organic Answers Column - March 9, 2022
Photinias – Problems, Solutions and the Birth of the Sick Tree Treatment
Can sick red tip photinias and Indian hawthorn be saved? "There is no effective control for this very damaging disease." That's what is often said when the purple spots and yellow leaves show up on photinia and hawthorns. But – it's not true.
 Entomosporium leaf spot |
First understand that neither of these plants tolerate "wet feet" or poor drainage. Red tip photinia (Photinia fraseri) is particularly susceptible to root fungal diseases in poorly draining soil. Damage from root diseases can weaken plants making them more susceptible to problems such as leaf spot fungus. Fallen leaves can be removed, as some recommend, but moving them could cause dispersal of more spores, so I never do it. You may try covering fallen diseased leaves with shredded cedar mulch to accelerate their decomposition and suppress the fungus.
 The affected plant |
 Close up of spotted leaves |
For treatment, use potassium bicarbonate spray on the foliage (1 rounded tablespoon per gallon of water), 1% hydrogen peroxide, or corn meal juice made by soaking whole ground cornmeal in water for a few hours. It may be good to remove severely diseased plants that have also been damaged by cold injury and replace them with tougher plants. For plants that remain, dramatically expose the root flares, physically aerate the root zone or spray it with 3% hydrogen peroxide and then apply the soil amendments we use for bed preparation - compost, rock minerals like lava sand, Azomite and greensand and sugars like dry molasses and whole ground cornmeal. That's right - the Sick Tree Treatment. It works on any woody plants, not just trees. Saving red tips is how I came up with the procedure.
Although I wouldn't plant any more red tip photinia, the Sick Tree Treatment can save many sick plants and bring them back to health. If the root system of the plants is too severely damaged, then the plant may need to be removed. The reason for the acceleration of photinia problems is over-planting and the common use of harsh synthetic fertilizers and toxic pesticides. Not only do those products not solve the problem, they make it worse. The real problem is not the spots on the leaves, the subsequent chlorosis and then foliage die back. These are merely symptoms of the real problem – unhealthy soil and unhealthy roots.
 The leaf spot is treatable in the early stages |
 Untreated, the plants can die |
Red tip photinia breeding led to this flaw – it created weak root systems. When the roots get in trouble, the symptoms start to appear on the foliage. Indian hawthorns are in the same boat, especially since so many are planted in the shade and don't like that condition. Only proper planting conditions and organic products that stimulate beneficial biological activity will help. Many people have saved their plants with the Sick Tree Treatment, and the basic organic program keeps them happy long term.
For more details see - Sick Tree Treatment.
For more plant success, switch to Chinese photinia (Photinia serrulata), hollies, viburnums and abelias. Plant the Indian hawthorn in sunnier spots.
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