Kalmia Plant

[foxhaven]

My recently planted Kalmia has leaves turning yellow.
I planted it in ericaceous compost and have twice watered it with sequestered feed.
What could be wrong and what can I do please ?

[woofgang]

its sounds like maybe its overwatered? how wet is the soil, does it have good drainage?

[Old_Geezer]

Knowing nothing of Kalmias I wasn't going to answer, but seeing woof's suggestion: when my rubber tree plant started turning it's leaves yellow and dropping them it turned out that I was overwatering them. For ages it (and the cuttings) seemed ok with a near daily water. Now it gets twice a week and is much better.

That said, when I first got it, it took a while to find a spot it did like. It seemed fussy re light, warmth, draughts, etc. Refused to thrive in the lounge, ended up in the box room upstairs where I'm less able to enjoy it. Typical !

[murraymints]

https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/9708/i-Kalmia-latifolia-i/Details

[foxhaven]

With all the recent rain that could be the problem, I dug a few little 6 inch deep holes around it last week but unsure how near to it I could go without damaging the roots.
Having so much trouble posting on here - keeps freezing

[Old_Geezer]

One further comment. I note the "recently planted" bit. This year I planted two more roses at the front of my place. One took immediately. The other turned it's existing leaves yellow and dropped them. But then it recovered and has a new set now. It's not grown quite as much as the other but is slightly behind only. I'm hoping that by next year both are well established.

[Chipchopper]

I would avoid root disturbance, if at all possible, assuming that the root-ball was in good condition when you bought it.
Is it planted in the ground or a planter ?
Some grit in the bottom of the planting hole is a benefit to drainage and if its sat there in rain sodden ground it probably wont look too happy.
Hopefully when the recent rain drains through, it might settle in better.
Incredible flowers, I can see your attraction to it.

[foxhaven]

It is planted in the ground - there was some grit added a couple of years ago when I planted an Acer there - which also failed ! wondering if there is something wrong with just that bit, Berberis next door doing beautifully as are the nearby globe thistles.
Another prolonged heavy down pour predicted for tonight.
Thanks to everyone for the replies