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Hi @Lee777,
A simple way to assess soil conditions is to start by checking moisture levels and drainage. Dig down a small section near the base of one of the plants and feel the soil with your hand. It should feel moist without being waterlogged. If it is very dry or holding too much water, that will affect the health of your photinias. While you have the soil exposed, have a look at the structure. You want it to crumble easily rather than forming hard clumps, which can indicate compaction or poor aeration. If the mix has broken down into something very fine over the last couple of years, topping up with compost and mulch can help improve it. Also keep an eye out for roots that look crowded or sitting in soggy conditions. These simple checks will give you a good sense of whether the soil needs improving or whether the issue is more related to watering or feeding. If anything looks off, improving drainage and adding organic material will go a long way toward getting them back to full health.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Thanks Mitchell,
I've attached pictures of the potting mix/soil. It is quite moist, it will bind together, was reasonably compacted, although there is no water ponding in the hole, there seems to be quite a lot of sawdust material in the mix.
They get fed Charly carp monthly.
Any advice on what I can do to enhance the soil to encourage growth? and specifically what products?
Hello @Lee777
Your soil appears to be heavy on partly decomposed wood (sawdust / bark fines), which ties up nitrogen as microbes break it down. This slows plant growth even if you fertilise. To fix this, you want to add richer, more stable organic matter plus a balanced fertiliser, so plants get the nutrients rather than the microbes.
A good first step is to partly replace or mix through some of your existing mix with a high-quality potting mix from Bunnings, for example Scotts Osmocote Premium Potting Mix or Garden Basics Premium Potting Mix. The Garden Basics version is lightweight and drains well, making it suitable for most plants.
For a boost in organic richness and to feed microbes in a beneficial, balanced way, add a soil improver like Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Fertiliser and Soil Improver Pellets. These pellets release nutrients slowly and improve soil structure and moisture retention.
If you prefer a slow-release synthetic/organic-blend fertiliser, the Scotts Osmocote All Purpose Controlled Release Fertiliser available from Bunnings delivers balanced nutrients over many months, which helps counter the nutrient drawdown from decomposing wood-based material.
In practice, remove about one-third of the old soil per pot (or dig out that portion), mix in fresh potting mix such as Garden Basics Premium Potting Mix, and sprinkle in some Dynamic Lifter pellets (or a dose of Osmocote). Water well to activate the fertiliser. Over the next few weeks, the soil’s structure and nutrient availability should improve, encouraging stronger growth and healthier plants.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Hello @Lee777
Charlie Carp is a liquid (or pellet)-based fertilizer derived from fish (whole European carp). It delivers macro- and micronutrients (proteins, oils, trace elements) that plants can absorb fairly quickly. When diluted and applied often as a foliar spray or soil drench those nutrients become available for immediate uptake. Because it’s liquid, it acts fast and gives a short-term nutrient boost.
By contrast, Yates Dynamic Lifter is a granular organic soil improver/fertiliser. It is made from composted manure and other stable organic materials (such as animal by-products, composted matter, etc.) that release nutrients more slowly over time. It improves soil structure, water retention, encourages beneficial microbial activity, and gradually feeds plants.
Because of that difference, they serve complementary but not identical purposes. Charlie Carp is great if you want an immediate nutrient hit for instance if your plants are showing signs of nutrient deficiency or are rapidly growing. Dynamic Lifter is better for long-term soil health and sustained feeding over weeks–months, especially if your soil/media needs more stable organic matter and improved structure.
In many cases you can use both, but not necessarily at the same time. A good approach is to apply Dynamic Lifter (or other organic soil improver) occasionally to build and improve soil over time, and use Charlie Carp periodically for quick nutrient boosts when the plants need a growth or green-up push.
If your soil mix tends to have lots of fresh wood-based matter (as in your earlier description), using Dynamic Lifter helps build real, stable organic matter in the soil. Then using Charlie Carp as a top-up feed (especially while the soil is still adjusting) can help plants access nutrients without being competed out by microbes.
If you have already applied Dynamic Lifter, you can safely use Charlie Carp about one to two weeks later, or sooner if the plants look hungry, as long as you follow the dilution instructions. After that, Charlie Carp can be applied monthly, which is the normal schedule. Dynamic Lifter only needs to be applied every eight to twelve weeks because of its slow breakdown.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
