RED ROBINS THAT ARE NOT RED!

[youngman!]

I have recently moved to east sussex from essex and in my last garden I had planted loads of photantina red robins(sorry about the spelling),anyway,in my new garden I have improved the soil and planted another 3 , one in full sun , one light shade and one moderate shade but the thing is although though all look healthy, none of the new growth is red ,its at best a pale brown and like this they are are something I would not wish to keep,I just don't get it,they get plenty of water and fertilizer and are putting on good growth but no red,any ideas anyone

[decam0]

Hi youngman!
Sounds to me you've been sold three pups. Take them back!
Delia

[youngman!]

No fraid not,two were brought in essex and one down here so its not the stock,ive looed at all of them in the local area and there are no good red examples.

[decam0]

A shot in the dark......
Do you have acid soil in your new garden? If so, maybe this is the problem. Photinias prefer neutral to alkaline.

[youngman!]

ok ive tested the soil and its acid, can I add any supplements to the water or mulch with anything that will give it a release of alkaline?

[decam0]

Ermmm..dunno. Anyone?

[meesh]

Dolomite lime adjusts the Ph.