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Rescued Red Robin

emsy.angel.22emsy.angel.22 Posts: 27
in Problem solving
Hi, I was thinking about buying a Red Robin and yesterday my neighbour dug theirs up to throw away. I recused it but it had been out of the ground for an hour and I don’t think it had been dug up with much care, as it was destined for the skip. 
We have planted it, and I have pruned it. 
How will I know if it will survive? As in how long to see if it will thrive? 
Also it has LOTS of leaf spot, I have trimmed lots of but does this mean it’s not healthy so won’t thrive? 
Thanks in advance, from a novice! 

In have attached pictures of it once planted, and after I pruned it. 

Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Hi and welcome.
    The pot is far too small for the size of the plant which suggests that there is not enough of the rootball left to support the growth. It will need to be pruned viciously for any chance of survival. Also it looks as though it has been planted much deeper than before. And lastly, never accept a plant that is already suffering from disease. You will spend all your time worrying and fretting over the thing and it will never look good. Chuck it out and buy a decent, small specimen from a nursery.
  • emsy.angel.22emsy.angel.22 Posts: 27
    Ahh thanks. We dug out the ground and the pot has no bottom...I am happy to buy one but was hoping there might be a chance to save this.  
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    It doesn't look diseased to me, but even in a pot without a bottom, it will still struggle (it's logical if you think how water would drain away downwards). You'd be better off planting it in the soil, if there is a patch available there. They are reasonably tough plants, in fact. As @Ceres says, cut it back hard at the top. Replant in the actual soil, and give it some fertiliser. You can shape them like topiary shrubs if you need to, in order to fit in the space. I don't think it's too late to save, given that the transplanting season is tailing off just now--but you will need to water it frequently all though this summer if it's to have a chance of surviving.

    People often think that Photinia are dying because they have little spots on their leaves. In fact this is a physiological disorder caused by malnourishment, and easily corrected with proper feeding.

    Give it a go!

  • emsy.angel.22emsy.angel.22 Posts: 27
    Thank you! 🙂
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    This advice page from the RHS should help you with planting, pruning and the correct fertiliser to choose. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/popular/photinia/growing-guide
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    I forgot to add that you will probably see it not put on a lot of growth this season. But don't despair, as long as the leaves aren't all wilting, all that's happening is that it will be trying to replace the lost roots underground. Keep watering regularly, and with a bit of patience, you'll hopefully see new growth next spring. I think they are lovely things, so good on you for saving it.
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