How to make pittosporum grow thicker?

[trentd]

Hi, after advice on how to get Pittosporums to grow thicker. They have been established for 3-4 years and just not getting enough growth from them. They are watered regularly and fed yearly but just growing very thick and finding more and more branches without leaves. Note I have only removed mulch from garden in last week.

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @trentd,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Your care regime sounds fine, the main thing I think you're missing is pruning. Pruning helps shape the plant and direct energy where you want it to go. Pittosporums respond well to pruning, which encourages bushier growth. Trim back the leggy or bare branches to a node (a point where leaves or buds grow). This stimulates the plant to produce new shoots and fill out. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches to focus the plant's energy on healthy growth. 

It's important that you use clean and sharp secateurs when pruning. Similar to how people heal from lacerations, a clean cut will heal much faster than a jagged dirty one will, meaning the plant will recover much faster.

Continue applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer such as Scotts Osmocote All Purpose Controlled Release Fertiliser in early Spring, just as the growing season begins. This will provide the nutrients the plants need to develop strong, healthy foliage throughout the year. Supplement this with liquid feeds like Seasol or Charlie Carp every 4–6 weeks during the growing season to promote foliage and root health.

Watering adjustments may be necessary to prevent stress on the plants. Although they are watered regularly, overwatering or underwatering can both cause issues. Ensure the soil is consistently moist but well-drained. Avoid waterlogging, as Pittosporums dislike soggy conditions, which can cause root rot and limit nutrient uptake.

Improving soil health can further enhance growth. Aerate the soil around the base of the plants to improve drainage and allow air and nutrients to penetrate the roots. Adding organic matter such as compost or manure can enrich the soil, support drainage and increase overall plant health.

Have a read of Planting, Growing and Pruning Pittosporums for some further guidance.

Allow me to tag @Noelle, @robchin and @mich1972 to see if they have any tips they can add.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[robchin]

Hi @trentd 

At least they are still alive 😃. They don't look great though. Fertilising will help but I wonder if there are other things at play here? Looks like very heavy clay soil? Is this the case? If so I think you need to try and fix this. Simplest way is some liquid clay breaker. I work at Bunnings and we sell this one: Multicrop 2.8L Groundbreaker Hose-On Soil Treatment And Clay Breaker - Bunnings Australia

Couple of other things: 

I'd be also putting some liquid seaweed on (as per instructions) every couple of weeks to promote some root vigour. Garden Basics 2L Seaweed Liquid Fertiliser Concentrate - Bunnings Australia

Also - not sure why you removed the mulch - but aged mulch helps in many ways. Always make sure the ground is wet before you put it on. 

Good luck.