Laurels

sarahmaqbool8

Does anyone know what this could be and what we would need to treat it? We have been pulling of the old leaves to try and stop contamination, but it’s of no use. Seems like it’s already spread. It causes the leaves to die. We’re worried it’s going to eventually kill of the whole hedging.be

JennyJ

I wonder if that could be a nutrient deficiency rather than a pest or disease? I'm sure someone on here will know.....

GardenerSuze

It could be an iron deficiency. I don't think it is pest or disease. 

Desi_in_London

Try looking at this as a guide ( am sure there are other sites with pics , no affiliation) if you can identify the cause. Does look like an iron issue to me 

5 Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Plants | My Garden Life

sarahmaqbool8

Thank you everyone! I was super stressed, feel better now knowing what it is. Yes I think it’s an iron deficiency after reading the link you posted , it’s causing something called chlorosis ( not sure if Iv spelt that correctly) 
I’m very new to gardening, had the laurels for about a year spent quite a bit so I’d like to save them. Are their certain specialists who would come out to determine the cause, and check PH levels of the soil? Iv become quite attached to them! I’d like to save them.

Fairygirl

How are you growing them - what is the site like, and what is the soil like? It looks like  a raised bed, and possibly quite narrow. Have they had plenty of water since first planting, especially through the summer?
Those are all factors in the health of laurels in the early stages. The size as well 
If they're large specimens, they're harder to establish, and can drop more foliage because they're trying to get the roots going at the expense of the top growth. 

A bit of chlorosis [well done with the spelling!] isn't a major problem, but the growing conditions can continue to affect them if it's not adequate. From your photos, the new growth looks good, and it only seems to be a few leaves though. 

JennyJ

It looks as if they're maybe in a fairly narrow raised bed, which won't be ideal for them, particularly if it's not open to the soil underneath. They'd need a lot more watering and feeding than plants in the ground if the roots are restricted.

Uff

I would say that it depends on how many such leaves there are per yardage of laurels. See pics of mine just taken. Looking at the individual leaves it looks as though it might be on its last legs but as a whole, it's absolutely fine and just the usual evergreen leaf drop, see leaves on the floor. 

  

  

A pic of the whole of the OP laurels might be useful for diagnosing a problem.

Plantminded

I was thinking the same as you @Uff, could just be the natural process of shedding older leaves before the new growth starts which is typical of evergreen hedging at this time of year - my Portuguese laurels and Griselinia have all been doing this over the last couple weeks.  They probably just need revitalising with a mulch of organic matter such as garden compost, farmyard manure or soil conditioner and some extra watering.

Uff

I'll let you into a secret Plantminded but don't tell anyone. Since mine were planted 7 years ago I do absolutely nothing with them except trim them into shape twice a year, in early summer and the autumn. There we are, I've admitted it.  They must like it here.

Plantminded

Ah, but you probably planted them correctly @uff, that's why they're happy! 😊