How to revive sick Pandorea Jasminoide vine?

[diy_scott]

Hi,

I am having an issue with my Pandorea Jasminoide which I can not work out what is going on. I have 4 of these plants in a raised garden bed and 1 of the 4 has started to go yellow and looks very sick. I tried Yates Dyna lift to improve the soil about a month ago and Iron spray to the leaves to see if that helped. But was wondering if I should try something else before the plant gets any worse.  

Any advice would be helpful.  

Thanks

Scott

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @diy_scott. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Pandorea care.

Could you tell us a bit more about the care of your Pandorea Jasminoide? For example, could this particular plant receive more or less water than the others? Does the soil in that area dry out faster or perhaps stay wet for longer? Additionally, does this plant get less sunlight than the others, or is it possibly overly exposed? Any extra details about its environment and care would be helpful in determining what might be causing the issue and advising on ways to help your plant recover.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[diy_scott]

@MitchellMc thanks for helping out.

This plant was the best of the 4 and it has grown across all 4 lattice section before any of the rest. So we thought it had the best conditions.

It does not receive any more or less water. The plant to left receives way too much water since that is where our son plays with the tap. So it gets the same other 3.

I am not sure about the soil, I put a fork into to see but it didn't look much different to the others.

Any better ways to test the soil?

For the sun the 3 left plants get the same amount of sun. Solid morning sun and sun to the evening.

It has a good think mulch cover since the dead leaves that fall off I never thin out from the pine bark mulch that is there. But the others have that also. 

Hopefully that helps.

[EricL]

Hello @diy_scott 

It’s fascinating that the plant you thought had the best conditions is now the one struggling. Since you’ve ruled out obvious water and sun differences and even checked the soil visually, it might be time to take a deeper look at potential underlying issues like nutrient deficiencies, root health, or even pests or diseases.

To test the soil more thoroughly, the store sells soil test kits and pH probes that can help you identify not only the pH but also nutrient levels, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). These are a great way to confirm if something in the soil is off balance. If the test shows a deficiency, you can address it with a product like Osmocote Controlled Release Fertilizer for flowers, which provides balanced nutrition over time. It’s gentle enough not to overwhelm the plant.

Even though the soil structure looked fine when you used a fork, there’s a chance the roots might be compacted or not as healthy as they seem. You could gently loosen the topsoil around the plant and check for any signs of poor drainage or overly dry or overly wet patches beneath the mulch. Sometimes mulches like pine bark can hold too much moisture if they become dense, leading to root stress. If that seems to be the case, consider lifting the mulch slightly to improve airflow around the base.

Lastly, pests or diseases can sometimes take hold even in otherwise healthy plants. Inspect the stems and undersides of leaves for signs of pests like scale or mealybugs. If you notice anything, products like Eco-Oil or Yates Nature's Way Insect Spray are available at Bunnings and can safely target most common pests. For fungal issues, a fungicide like Eco-Fungicide can be used.

Given that the plant had been thriving previously, you’re already providing excellent care—it’s likely something minor like a localized soil issue or stress. Keep monitoring, and with a little targeted attention, it should bounce back!

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[diy_scott]

@EricL thanks for the advice.

I grab a soil tester and it indicates "increasing alkalinity". Any product you recommend to help with this type of plant.

 

I also check for diseases and nothing obvious was on the stem or under any of the leaves.

I have thinned the mulch a little the help with root air flow.

So I hope it is just the soil.

[JacobZ]

Hi @diy_scott,

Your Pandorea Jasminoide vines likes slightly acidic to neutral soil, between 6.0 and 7.0 so there's a good chance this is part of the problem.

You can reduce the PH of your soil by adding Yates Soil Acidifier Liquid Sulfur following the manufacturer's instructions for application.

Apply the liquid sulfur and retest the soil in 4 weeks to determine if you'll need to reapply. Repeat as many times as necessary to bring your soil into the correct range between 6.0 and 7.0.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[diy_scott]

Thanks @JacobZ 

Applied the Yates Soil Acidifier.

Fingers crossed and lets see in 4 weeks.