Need help to diagnose issue with Podocarpus Macrophyllus (Japanese Yew, Buddha Pine)

[PaulyD]

Hi all, look for some help please. We have a Buddha Pine that we have had for many years, but its looking really sick. Has been in 3/4 direct light, I have moved it under shade as wondering if its too hot (but hasnt been hot summer in Australia).

Any feedback/suggestions would be great . Its a lucky tree, but doesn't look too lucky currently.

Thank you in anticipation

Pauly D

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @PaulyD ...Members from the "Land down under" always add interesting materials to the Forums.

When was the last time you "up-potted" your pine? Looks possibly root bound.

Also, it prefers bright, indirect light as I understand.

 

[PaulyD]

Hi Meadowlark, thanks for reply! We repotted this maybe 3-5 years ago. We have had the tree for about 15 years.

Also, maybe the sun has been too bright - looks browner on the side that gets sun. We have moved it under patio now to get it out of direct light.

Any opinion on repotting when its looking stressed?

Thanks

Paul

 

[Meadowlark]

A mature Budha pine is due for re-potting every 3-5 years according to my research. Look for roots circling the pot or growing out of drain holes. My take would be if it shows the signs, then it should be done regardless of stress but look for signs first.

 

[PaulyD]

Thanks again Meadowlark. I will keep you posted on this and also look for more feedback. Also Texas Rocks!

 

[cpp gardener]

They grow in full sun here and only burn when temps go over 110*F. How frequently do you water and how much when you do? It may just be drying out too much. In full sun you can water every day with no worry about overdoing it.

 

[PaulyD]

They grow in full sun here and only burn when temps go over 110*F. How frequently do you water and how much when you do? It may just be drying out too much. In full sun you can water every day with no worry about overdoing it.

Hi ccp gardener, thanks for reply. I thought that these didnt like wet feet, so I have been watering less. Will check it and keep the post updated. Thanks again.
Paul

 

[Sheal]

If the roots are pot bound then there won't be enough soil to hold water. That in turn means there are no nutrients in the soil. Ideally it would be better in the ground. As a Yew it's part of the conifer family and needs to spread its roots, so for a tree that would eventually reach 60ft in the ground it's seriously restricted at the moment.

 

[PaulyD]

Hi Sheal, yeah, it can be big tree. We dont have space to put it in the ground. I have seen alot of these kept in pots (even bigger ) so I dont think thats the issue.

 

[Sheal]

I'm sorry, but in my opinion it doesn't make sense to me to keep a large tree so confined. I would find something more suitable for a pot.

 

[oneeye]

It's outlived its pot, and if you don't do something soon, it will get worse. Lay the plant on its side on the ground and tap the pot off side ways and expose the root ball. If it's all roots, then you need a slightly bigger pot. If you have root space in the pot you have now, then just knock off all the soil you can very gently while its laying on the ground. Get some quality potting soil and replace the old using the same pot and water the new soil until you get some discharge. Your plant should recover in a few days with new soil mix.

 

[Meadowlark]

It's outlived its pot, and if you don't do something soon, it will get worse. ...

I felt that sense of urgency also when I saw the photo and the 5 years since re-potting.

I do hope that @PaulyD acts soon on this plant before losing it.

 

[cpp gardener]

I would bump it up to something around 24-30” wide with regular potting soil. They’re really tough plants that are sometimes used for bonsai, so treating similarly using a really big pot should keep it happy.

 

[PaulyD]

Hi all, quick update, took the Buddha Pine out of the pot yesterday. The root ball was still same size roughly as it was when re-potted some years ago, in fact, could still see square shape of previous pot. So definitely root bound wasnt issue. The dirt in the pot was horrible. looks hydrophobic - just dead looking dirt. So I would say when I re-potted must have used poor quality potting mix. This explains when when watering water would pour out bottom really fast. Soooo....

- Have re-potted in same pot using high quality potting mix with water crystals and fertilizer.
- Gave it a good watering - interesting, no water came out bottom of pot - good news
- Taking it out of the afternoon sun

So I am hoping this will fix problem, will give update.

Also need to give it a spray with eco-oil as seems to have a pest on leaves

Cheers

Paul

 

[Martin Mikulcik]

Looks like you figured it out.

If the roots hadn't grown in 5 years that soil was either wrong pH or all bark or something.

I suggest giving it a good pruning to bring the size of the top back into proportion with the root ball.

Big trees can grow forever in containers, they just can't keep growing bigger. Think bonsai.

And keep it in part shade till it looks like its growing