AusBonsai

Following a recent repot I've noticed my Scots Pine's needles have gotten soft. I have little to no experience with them and was wondering if this is normal? I took a third of the roots off.

That doesn't sound good. Do you mean soft as in wilting?

treeman wrote:That doesn't sound good. Do you mean soft as in wilting?

Just soft to the touch.

Still dark green but almost weeping.

He's been in part shade since the repot.

How long ago did you repot it
Cheers
Kirky

One month ago?

Gosh that is late. I am done with all my Pines by late July normally. This year was wet so I left them for an extra month. All potted by end August. Ok will need more info.
Its in the shade. All day? And how shady?
Because it is in the shade what is your watering regime?
What is the soil medium you have potted it into?
Can you post a pic, would be good to see how much foliage you have on it.
Cheers
Kirky

Partial shade with no direct sunlight since the repot.

Soil is a combination of bark and pumice.

Foliage wasn't removed.

Photos to be posted soon.

Hi Daluke, firstly I would put it in a position to get morning sun, afternoon shade. Check the potting medium isn't too wet.
When you do water, water with Seasol. I wasn't worried that foliage was removed more interested in how much foliage is draining the strength of the tree. Even though wilting/soft ends doesn't sound good. I would say it may still be ok. The tree may be sulking due to late repot. It takes awhile for trees to recover from shock of transplant and start to recover to draw water and grow new feeder roots. Thats why seasonal repotting is important to be done at the right time of year for some species even more than others. Let see what story the pic tells.
Cheers
Kirky

Daluke wrote:Partial shade with no direct sunlight since the repot.

Soil is a combination of bark and pumice.

Foliage wasn't removed.

Photos to be posted soon.

Pines need full sun all the time. Straight after potting you should place them in full sun as this will stimulate them more than any other thing you can do.
They should only be shaded when it's sweltering.

It sounds like root trouble.

Hi Treeman, only because the sun is a lot warmer now. Do you not think afternoon sun might be too much at this point?
Fine on days when its below say 23-25 but after that, would have thought perhaps too much on an already stressed out tree.
interested in your thoughts.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:Hi Treeman, only because the sun is a lot warmer now. Do you not think afternoon sun might be too much at this point?
Fine on days when its below say 23-25 but after that, would have thought perhaps too much on an already stressed out tree.
interested in your thoughts.
Cheers
Kirky

Yes I meant that pines should be placed back in full sun straight after repotting. With this tree, we don't know the problem yet. If it turns out to be root rot, it probably won't make much difference where you put it. Full sun might dry it out faster (the tree not the soil) and lead to a faster death but position won't help the roots to recover.
For all I know it could be dying of thirst. I suspect however that there may be a problem at the interface between the old and the new p/mix. If the old is much finer than the new, there is potential for disaster. In that case the old soil around the roots will refuse to drain into the new coarser mix leading to problems. If the new mix is finer than the old, this issue does not occur. Ideally when we repot, the roots should be in direct contact (resting on) the new mix - unless of course it is exactly the same as the old mix. (mine never is)

I have a sneaking suspicion that I've starved it of sunlight by putting him in the shade.

I'll be following your advice treeman with the next tree repot regarding soil sizing.

Pic

Your tree looks fine to me. I also put mine back into full sun straight after repotting.

Hi Daluke, it doesn't look bad which is good, but Pines can look deceptive. By the time they look sick there is no way to save them. I would still water with Seasol including over the foliage and place in sun. However I would still err on the side of caution and keep out of hot midday sun especially Mon and Tues reported to be mid 30s. Don't allow it to dry out as that looks a very aerated mix. If all goes well I would move it to full sun once the ends are no longer limp.
Cheers
Kirky