AusBonsai

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.

izzykay wrote: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

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.

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

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

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

Ray M wrote: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

[nothing as I double posted

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

Pup wrote:
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.
Regards Ray

Ray M wrote:

Pup wrote:
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.

izzykay wrote: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.

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

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

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?