Diseases of pieris

[maisiemuffin]

the leaves of my pieris forest flame are turning brown and going hard and then dropping off. Why? It is planted facing South and is 12 years old and about seven feet tall. It is in acid soil and I had this problem last year also. I wondered then if it was lack of water but it has been well watered this year. I have also given it some sequesterine a few days ago. Does anyone out there know what is the matter with it? After these leaves drop off of course the bare branch dies.

[Lonnie]

It could be the soil, try putting soil nutrients around the base of it.

[WendyS]

I have a couple of these plants too. The one in good moist soil thrives better than the one in dry stoney soil in a neglected corner, so it seems to be that digging in plenty of compost and nutrients/manure do make a difference. I suspect that some of these shrubs also have a natural lifespan so it could be that yours is reaching the end of its healthy life.

[maisiemuffin]

Thanks to both Lonnie and WendyS for your answers. I too have another acer in a different part of the garden much moister soil and no problem so perhaps the dry stony area of my sickly acer is the root of the problem. Will do as you both suggest and see what happens.