Is my privet ok?

We have some unique pests to deal with in Australia. Post your experiences and treatments here for others to learn from.
Post Reply
fufilms
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3
Joined: October 5th, 2017, 12:13 am
Bonsai Age: 1
Location: Victoria

Is my privet ok?

Post by fufilms »

Hey guys new to bonsai, I've had this privet close to a year now and have just noticed these spots on some of the leaves and also some of the growth coming in brown. Is this something i need to be concerned about?

many thanks
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
treeman
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2836
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 4:47 pm
Favorite Species: any
Bonsai Age: 25
Location: melbourne
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 571 times

Re: Is my privet ok?

Post by treeman »

fufilms wrote: Is this something i need to be concerned about?

many thanks
No
Mike
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7653
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 65 times
Been thanked: 1399 times
Contact:

Re: Is my privet ok?

Post by shibui »

You can see that Mike is a man of many words but he does know plants.
Without seeing the plant it is hard to be definitive but I think the older leaves have probably reached the end of their life and are being replaced by new ones. That is natural for all plants so nothing to worry about.
Young shoots that are brown is something else. Some plants have brownish new shoots that turn green. If that's what is happening there's no problem. The new leaves I can see in the photo look OK but if new shoots are turning brown and shrivelling up there is a problem.
Do you feed the tree? What and how often?
Watering? How much and How often?
What pot and what potting mix is the tree in?
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
fufilms
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3
Joined: October 5th, 2017, 12:13 am
Bonsai Age: 1
Location: Victoria

Re: Is my privet ok?

Post by fufilms »

Hi Mike and shibui thanks for your prompt replies. I fertilize the tree with B-Green slow release every 2 weeks and water it generally everyday to second day, depending on when the soil becomes dry looking on top, and water it generously with a low pressure hose until the pot fills up and then drains. Its a soil mixture i bought at a bonsai show so i am unsure as to its ingredients. the attached photo might help.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7653
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 65 times
Been thanked: 1399 times
Contact:

Re: Is my privet ok?

Post by shibui »

Nothing that sounds ominous in that and the buds I can see in the earlier photo look healthy so I'm guessing it is just the older leaves starting to die.
Keep doing as you are and it should be OK.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
toohey
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 165
Joined: February 11th, 2011, 7:29 pm
Favorite Species: Ficus
Bonsai Age: 30
Location: Sydney

Re: Is my privet ok?

Post by toohey »

Privets are very hardy.
I would ask: Have you repotted it in the last year?
Why do I ask? Because Privets grow so prolifically that it might just be rootbound and might require a root trim and repotting.
Three times a year is a good rule in order to maintain healthy growth and allow water and nutrients to get through.
fufilms
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 3
Joined: October 5th, 2017, 12:13 am
Bonsai Age: 1
Location: Victoria

Re: Is my privet ok?

Post by fufilms »

Hi toohey, I have not repotted the privet in the last year, thank you for the information I shall do that.
Post Reply

Return to “Pests and Diseases”