End-of-Spring in N.E. Downunder - Ixora blooming

It looks so healthy. My plants in the ground have been turning yellow for many months. I can't seem to get them to green up.

Andy, the little I know about these plants is what I've been told by my gardening elders. They love acidic soil and should never be planted near concrete. If grown in alkaline soil they are prone to iron and manganese deficiencies.

I figured it was an iron deficiency. I gave my plants a lot of iron this year, as the soil here is very alkaline. I think that's the reason why they don't grow as fast as in wet subtropical/tropical climates.

Here's a photo of my plants which are no the side of the house...and it's a cinder block planter. lol! I guess I may have to move them. They've been in the same spot for a couple of years.

Here's a photo:

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/278916-ixora-coccinea-jungle-geranium/member/Delonix1

Oh dear, I'm not sure that being in a cinder block planter is ideal for your Ixora. It's the one thing that old gardeners always tell the younger generations about Ixoras ... never plant them near concrete.

I'm definitely agreeing with you. I will have to move them. I thank you so much for the information! I never heard about not planting Ixoras near concrete.

I had Pachystachys lutea in this planter. Every winter the many snails would eat all the leaves off and they would look like sticks. This is why I put the snail-resistant Ixoras in the planter.

Yes it's a piece of advice I've heard often from older gardeners. Apparently the concrete can break down and leach into the soil and deteriorate the acidity in the soil. I hope moving your Ixoras out of the cinder blocks will help them to flourish.

I appreciate all the advice.

The cinder block planter on the side of the house has had so many plants in it over the years. The biggest problem is snails...they love to eat pretty much any plant in the planter, during winter.