Fraser photinia is an evergreen shrub that is native to Vietnam. It can grow to be up to 20 feet tall and has dark green, glossy leaves. The plant produces clusters of small, white flowers in the springtime.
Related plant:
Fraser Fir
About soil condition, Fraser Photinia requires moist, well-drained soil in order to thrive. Once established, this tough plant is quite drought tolerant. However, during extended periods of drought, it may drop its leaves as a means of conserving water.
So, like the other Photinia species, Fraser Photinia requires full sun to partial sun to maintain its deep red coloring. It can tolerant of some shade, but the leaves will be more green than red. As far as sun requirements, Fraser Photinia needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to prevent leaf scorching.
The temperature condition required for Fraser photinia to thrive is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can tolerate colder temperatures, but it will not flower or produce fruit. If the temperature gets too hot, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and the plant will go into dormancy.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is when the soil is moist, but not soggy. You can maintain the ideal humidity level by misting the leaves regularly or setting the plant on a pebble tray. If the relative humidity falls below 60%, the leaves may start to turn brown and drop off.
Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant gets what it needs from the soil but sometimes it may be necessary to give it a little extra. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 the amount of fertilizer that is recommended on the package. It's always better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize. When applying fertilizer to a photinia, be sure to keep it away from the roots and trunk to avoid burning the plant.
Pruning a Fraser photinia is important to encourage new growth, promote plant vigor, and keep the plant looking its best. Depending on the desired shape and size of the plant, pruning can be done annually or as needed. When pruning, it is important to remove any dead or damaged branches and to make clean cuts at the desired location.
Propagation of photinia fraseri can be achieved through seed, softwood or semi-ripe cuttings. Seeds should be surface-sown in late spring and kept moist. Seedlings can be transplanted into containers or the garden in late summer. Softwood cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer from new growth. Cuttings should be 5-8 inches long and placed in a moist, well-drained rooting media. Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken in late summer from slightly hardened new growth. Cuttings should be 8-10 inches long and placed in a moist, well-drained rooting media.
Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and early summer when the temperatures are warm and the rainfall is plentiful. The average fraser photinia grows about 10 feet tall in a single growing season. However, if the conditions are ideal, some fraser photinia can grow up to 20 feet in a single season.
Common problems for this kind of plant plants are wilting, yellowing leaves, and fire blight. Wilting is caused by a lack of water, while yellowing leaves are caused by a lack of nutrients. Fire blight is a bacterial infection that can kill the plant.
Source:
Fraser Photinia | Oklahoma State University
Fraser Photinia; Redtip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)
Fraser Photinia - University of Arizona
