Melaleuca rhaphiophylla question

[izzykay]

I have a collected rhaphiophylla that keeps suffering from branches dying off, but I can't seem to work out why. Is this something common with them or am I mistreating it because no matter what I try it seems to happen, even when pushing lots of new healthy shoots.

[Pup]

I have a collected rhaphiophylla that keeps suffering from branches dying off, but I can't seem to work out why. Is this something common with them or am I mistreating it because no matter what I try it seems to happen, even when pushing lots of new healthy shoots.

A picture would be helpful how moist are you keeping it? have you done any wiring?.

Some branch die off can be expected but not too much.

Cheers Pup

[izzykay]

Hey Pup, This is one of the bad girls I am having troubles with but its not just this one and I do keep them moist 24/7. I have not wired anything for a long time due to my lazy nature. Here is an example of a new shoot drying up while the one next to it lives happily on. Sometimes a whole branch will die off with no reason coming to mind. Has not been repotted recently, this has been pretty neglected but the water is kept up to it.

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[Pup]

Izzy if you take a close look at the foliage you will notice some white SPOTS. They are mites so you need to treat it for them. I use ROGOR but you might prefer something else like Confidor. It will need a couple of treatments. Then keep an eye on them, if you have any others close by treat them as well.

A by the way, NOT when it is stinking hot unless you can provide it with shade.

Cheers Pup

[izzykay]

Thanks Pup. I think that the "white spots" are actually water and the camera is playing tricks.

[Ray M]

Hi izzy and Pup,
You boys know your part of Australia better than me. This being the case I could be wrong. Here in Sydney I have all my natives in water trays now. Would that be a good way to go with this species? Would like to hear what you do there as far as water trays are concerned.

Regards Ray

[Pup]

Hi izzy and Pup,
You boys know your part of Australia better than me. This being the case I could be wrong. Here in Sydney I have all my natives in water trays now. Would that be a good way to go with this species? Would like to hear what you do there as far as water trays are concerned.

Regards Ray

Hello Ray, I never have my natives sitting in water, I use water trays under trays of gravel, this has been good for me, since I started growing natives in the early 90s. I also use gravel trays under larger trees, never in water though.
When the trees are growing they actually put new growth though the holes into the gravel. I then just trim them off.
Cheers Pup

[Pup]

[nothing as I double posted

[wattynine]

just a thought as I read this but being collected it could be something internal?
you may have bought home a borer of some description or alternatively it may be something in the dirt eating out the root structure.
just covering all bases,
good luck with it
Watty

[Ray M]

Hello Ray, I never have my natives sitting in water, I use water trays under trays of gravel, this has been good for me, since I started growing natives in the early 90s. I also use gravel trays under larger trees, never in water though.
When the trees are growing they actually put new growth though the holes into the gravel. I then just trim them off.
Cheers Pup

Hi Pup,
Thanks for the info mate. During the hot time of year I find the natives will drink a full tray of water each day. They are certainly thirty little blighters. Do you find that you have to top up the trays each day?

These are the trays I use.

IMG_7368 -2.jpg

Regards Ray

[Pup]

Hello Ray, I never have my natives sitting in water, I use water trays under trays of gravel, this has been good for me, since I started growing natives in the early 90s. I also use gravel trays under larger trees, never in water though.
When the trees are growing they actually put new growth though the holes into the gravel. I then just trim them off.
Cheers Pup

Hi Pup,
Thanks for the info mate. During the hot time of year I find the natives will drink a full tray of water each day. They are certainly thirty little blighters. Do you find that you have to top up the trays each day?

These are the trays I use.

IMG_7368 -2.jpg

Regards Ray

Hello again Ray, yes they are thirsty, but I use the trays you have with gravel in them. Sit the pots on top as I said, this way you have water and humidity that is required to keep them happy. Also no salt build up on the pots, so no damage.
Cheers Pup.

[Elmar]

Thanks Pup. I think that the "white spots" are actually water and the camera is playing tricks.

G'Day izzykay,
may I suggest you take another photo, as Pup has forgotten more about our Natives than most of us have learned! I have a had the opportunity to see his collection and have been blown away ("one day when I grow up ...") so his advice is worth heeding.

[Billy]

Lovely mel izzy, looks like water to me also. How long you had the tree

[banksia]

Izzy! (putting it as nicely as possible of course) Heed Pup's advice and (for the moment) ignore others who feel it's a lack of water.
I've had similar on my two Rhaphs and a pest is the source of your problem. Rogor is your answer...or Confidor if you'd prefer.
Just out of interest: Are you living near any swampland where Rhaphiophylla grow? or Do you have any others in your collection?

Cheers!
Anthony

[izzykay]

Thanks guys, Ill give it a treatment and hopefully post up some positive results soon. It wont upset my lil friend who stays here most nights will it?

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