Picea: In trouble, half the branches bare ...

[PaybacInc]

When you pulled him out of the pot did the roots feel slimy to touch? I'm inclined to think the soil may not be free draining and well aerated but I cannot be sure from the pics. If there is nothing obvious attacking the roots then at a guess the insect infestation on the buds has combined with a sub optimal soil to weaken the tree. The Tree has responded by dying back. Cease fertilising and monitor watering carefully. Seasol may help but use sparingly and avoid over saturation. Sorry I can't be of real help. Good luck.

[legoman_iac]

The roots didn't feel slimy that I noticed, just wet as the soil all over was quite moist. I had watered that morning and realised as soon as I started that I shouldn't had watered him that day.

It's there anything in particular I should be watching when watering now? I planned to keep him in full shade until Sunday week and water daily, unless soil is already moist?

[legoman_iac]

Also, these photos are low res versions ... if there's any part i can post which are zoomed in, just let me know.

[SteveW]

Picea grow where it snows. Give the poor thing a break and give it to someone in the mountains or Canberra. No point trying to grow plants out of their climate zone.

[legoman_iac]

Hey Steve, unfortunately I don't have any bonsai buddies in cold areas. Could I put him in the freezer for a few weeks? Haha, kidding.

[Jdceng]

Hey AusBonsai-ers,

This is a follow on from another thread where I'd posted an image gallery of my picea "over the years" and some commented that my tree is not looking so good lately, so thought best to start a new topic in this section, which is more relevant than just the photo sharing one (hope that's OK and makes sense?).

Last September I took "Harry" (my picea) into my local bonsai guy and he told me I had to spray it with pesticide as he was under attack by some caterpillars. All the buds had been hollowed out and there were a few strings of thread, from the little terror. So I've been spraying him every two weeks up until end of December (as instructed) but after some other opnions.

My once lush green picea has been struggling for the past 12 months, going less vibrant green and lush to a duller and thinned out (not unlike my hair). As above, I put this down to un-invited guest(s). In the last month or so the branches on the southern side (right hand of first image) have lost their leaves. Some of the branches have dried out and the ends snap off easily.

Could it be I'm not watering it enough. The soil never seems to dry out, and water passes through quite well but I've been only watering once-twice a week, as I'm worried he's too moist. Also suspect too moist as the moss/weeds grow quite well and I occasionally pick them away.



I haven't worried too much as I have one or two branches which are growing as expected, giving me (false?) hope that he'll be OK.



Then the other side looks so desolate it's driven me to posting these images, as I'm a little lost at what to do.



Keen to hear any idea, thoughts, suggestions, etc.

- Daniel

p.s. I have been adding dynamic lifted since September also to boost him along through Summer.

Daniel

I wouldn't add any more fertilizer at all let it recover on its own if it will.

Basically if you feel like dogy do then the last thing you want is a STEAK SANDWICH & a BEER?

[Jarad]

Basically if you feel like dogy do then the last thing you want is a STEAK SANDWICH & a BEER?

I believe this is one of the most unaustralian things i have ever heard...

[legoman_iac]

So I should pour beer onto the tree or not? Where does the steak sandwich go? Is this what Australian bonsai is?

[kcpoole]

So I should pour beer onto the tree or not? Where does the steak sandwich go?

I think the best thing is to pur the beer down your throat after eating the Steak Sandwich.
Neither of which has anything to do with your tree.

Is this what Australian bonsai is?

Nope


I suspect that the soil staying wet, and these being cold climate trees are the bad combination. In the colder higher parts of Sydney ( Dural, Castle hill, Blue Mountains) they will do OK, but around the water or lower areas they will slowly deteriorate, and if in poor soil it will only exacerbate the problem
Make sure the soil dries out between waterings and if it is staying wet for a full day, then the soil is not draining well enough.

Ken

[legoman_iac]

Thanks for the clarity Ken. Will try to let it dry out, hopefully the new soil/repot I did on Sunday helps.

[legoman_iac]

Argh! Since posting I'll let him dry out, we've had rain everyday. Should I move him under cover so he's still outside but sheltered from the rain? It's not disturbing the soil, just not dying out.

[legoman_iac]

Quick update: things are not looking so great .... I've been trying not to water him as much, letting him dry out - recent storms have not helped.

It also seems this soil is naturally much darker than what I'm used to, so feel I should water more than I have been.

Have lost all but one branch now, pics below:

Photo taken 15th April 2015:


Photo taken 24th April 2015:


24th April, unwelcomed guest who was promptly escorted from the property:


I believe there's not much else I can do at the moment ... feeling very helpless, yet still hopeful he MIGHT pull through the winter.

- Daniel

[treeman]

Sorry but I don't understand all the conjecture. This tree is a lost cause. Just throw it away.

[Brian]

agree, its dead. Time to toss it out.

[Boics]

But but but... What about that little bud of goodness on the left hand side?