Question on Conifer Turning Brown
westes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
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plantkiller_il_5
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked plantkiller_il_5steve duggins(Z6a) - Central Ohio
2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay thanked steve duggins(Z6a) - Central OhioRelated Discussions
Browning Conifer
Comments (3)I don't get a picture (of the subject matter) from your link. When I hit enter and then arrow to the next photo, I can see your other photos. You may want to check and see what's happened. Also, it might not hurt to post the photo directly into your thread. Once you get the photo thing working, you might also consider posting to the conifer forum. There are experts here too, but the conifer forum will have more people with knowledge specific to your plant....See MoreMy baby giant seqouia is turning brown
Comments (65)Btw, what kinds of non peat based potting soils are out there? I had been using Vigaro with a good bit of luck, BUT, what else is out there in big box stores? I tried "Miracle grow" because I had THOUGHT it was "the best" because of it being sold everywhere, and it sure isn't cheap. I'll be sticking with "Vigaro" from now on. It's cheaper than MG too. It DOES have a LOT of "forest products" in it, and THAT is why I switched to MG. I had seen a Youtube video that had spoken badly about potting soils with lots of "forest products" in it, meaning wood fines, and other organic matter in it, BUT, it works quite well, I should have never tried the MG. It seems that the Vigaro had held onto moisture more than the peat based MG potting soil. that's just MY experience though. BTW, I did NOT use a giant pot though, so, that will surely make a lot of difference. Vigaro is cheaper too. About $8 a bag, BUT, the ounces or square feet, I have NO idea. And MG is about $12-$15 bucks a bag, ABOUT the same size. I get mine at Home Depot at that price of $8 a bag for the Vigaro, BUT, to each their own. The Vigaro would surely be TOO moisture holding for a tree in a pot THAT size....See MoreBrown conifer - dying?
Comments (1)Brown and brittle means dead. Diagnosing the cause isn't going to be easy. Resin...See MoreHelp! Conifers turning brown and dying.
Comments (9)"but well established trees... when we rule out recent transplant ... meaning the root mass is not fully re-established ... should not suffer any long term problem from one season of drought .. its just part of the natural cycle ..." Not necessarily. Depends on how severe and long lasting the drought is. Even though much of the PNW is a recurring summer drought area, this year was a bit over the top. A seriously low winter mountain snowpack resulted in reduced groundwater availability and significantly lower levels in streams and rivers - to the point where various species of fish are threatened as are salmon spawning runs. On top of that, most of the PNW had a long, very dry and extremely hot (for us) summer. What that means is even native plants accustomed to our normally dry summers are suffering. It is patently obvious by the many deciduous trees already coloring and dropping foliage, a good 6 weeks before normal. And by the extensive flagging showing up on WRC's - earlier and much heavier than normal. Along one stretch of highway near where I live, young Doug firs (10-15 y.o.) are dead or dying, the foliage completely brown. And local ecologists predict we may not see the full effect on the larger and older trees for several years. Severe drought is an enormous stressor on trees and often the effects are not immediately visible. The OP's photos clearly indicate trees, established or not, that are suffering from our extended lack of water. Especially when planted in a cultivated garden (as opposed to growing wild), young trees may be permanently damaged by a severe drought if not watered adequately to compensate. Even larger, more mature drought tolerant species (or species that are tolerant to "normal" seasonal drought) can suffer long term negative effects if the drought is longer or worse than normal and not relieved by natural or man-provided irrigation. Mike, I see nothing in those photos to indicate any Chamaecyparis. The lighter coloring on the branch tips might just be some new growth prompted by some recent watering or one of the WRC cultivars that offers some lighter, golden coloration....See Morewestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years agowestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
2 years ago
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