Question From:
Vis in Port Kennedy, Perth WA
Nature of problem:
Plant is not growing well.
Type of Plant (if known):
Jacaranda
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Plant is not growing well. Plant is growing new shoots on the northerly side only. Wind burn of foliage evident on southerly side.
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
sandy soil
How often do you water the plant:
every 2 days when first planted and for the past month. The plant also gets watered through the retic thrice a week.
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
12 – 14
What type of plant is it:
jacaranda
How long since you planted it:
4 years
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
recently with yates dynamic lifter, previously with a generic plant fertiliser
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoors
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
in the ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
none
Upload photo if available:
IMG_2576.JPG
Other Comments:
My Jacaranda tree was planted 4 years ago by the local council and just won’t take off. It also seems to grow on one side(north), with virtually no shoots on the southerly side. I’m guessing that its because of the southerly winds that blow through.
Answer: Hi Vis, The photo is wonderful! Looks more like the windy areas nearer Margaret River. The problem is not wind (even though your winds there are dreadful), the problem is water repellant soils. Notice the patches of green and also the patches of straw coloured grass?? This means erratic, uneven watering. IE you need to use Seasol Super Soil Wetter every 6 months AND you need to fix your watering system. Since you tried to be the expert (notice above where it says “not to diagnose the problems yourself!!!), blaming the wind has stopped you from telling me how much water you apply to the plant. Watering the plant TWICE a week for 30-45 mins will help…..AFTER you use the soil wetter AND AFTER you fork lots of holes in the soil. ALSO, whenever you have time over the next 3 weeks, go out and flood it with water from a hand-held hose. Dramm water breakers are the best way to water. Don
