Larch : beginning of the end?

[Mali84]

Wondering if this is the likely to be the beginning of the end?!….

Foliage starting to brown from the tips on many of the lower branches. This is a cheap tree from eBay that was poorly wired and in a very small damaged plastic container. Removed the wire as carefully as possible as it had trapped leaves and was in an un-desirable cascade (subjective of course) Slip potted into a terracotta pot that I had spare.

Weather has been a little weird lately, 27-30degrees Celsius on some days, then extremely wet with strong gales the next.

Do you think this tree will recover over the back end of the year and be on the mend from spring……or should I start looking for another larch!

Thanks in advance!

 

[leatherback]

SHould not be an issue. Soil LOOKS very dry though. Larches likes their roots cool and moist and full summer 30C in the sun with a dry rootball is a problem. With a well watered tree it still is pushing the limits and it is better to shade the pot..

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Shade pot, try wrapping with a wet cloth, water it multiple times a day.

 

[Mali84]

SHould not be an issue. Soil LOOKS very dry though. Larches likes their roots cool and moist and full summer 30C in the sun with a dry rootball is a problem. With a well watered tree it still is pushing the limits and it is better to shade the pot..

Thanks for the response.

I agree, it does look dry. I’m reasonable confident that it’s well watered though. Feels damp to the touch and inch or so down feels similar. I am slightly concerned that the soil doesn’t drain very well though as it’s in a regular melcourt trees and shrubs soil. Was planning on properly repotted in the winter in one of the Kaizen Bonsai mixes.

Much appreciate the advice re: shade as there’s lots of conflicting info out there regarding larch climate preferences.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

when healthy larch want FULL SUN
when stressed, unhealthy, shade is recommended to reduce stress on a weakened tree.

Your tree looks stressed. The question is just how stressed is it? Does it need shade or is it healthy enough to stay in full sun?

You decide,

 

[leatherback]

Hard to tell. Please share a better quality / higher resolution picture.
Seems like it might have bridged the gap

 

[Orion_metalhead]

If soil is not well draining, Id water well in morning and wrap pot in and maintain a wet cloth (swamp cooler effect) to keep roots cool.

 

[Mali84]

Hard to tell. Please share a better quality / higher resolution picture.
Seems like it might have bridged the gap

Hopefully these are slightly better, lighting isn’t the best this evening

 

[Paradox]

Im assuming this is a Japanese Larch??
I have had my larch do this when we had a few days of really hot weather.
For that reason I always put my larch where they get morning to mid day sun and afternoon shade.
They get water in the morning and if its above 85-90 degrees F, I water again in the late afternoon.

 

[leatherback]

Hard to tell. Please share a better quality / higher resolution picture.
Seems like it might have bridged the gap

not sure how that got in this thread! Was supposed to be a response to someone airlayering!

 

[Mali84]

Im assuming this is a Japanese Larch??
I have had my larch do this when we had a few days of really hot weather.
For that reason I always put my larch where they get morning to mid day sun and afternoon shade.
They get water in the morning and if its above 85-90 degrees F, I water again in the late afternoon.

Yes, this is a Japanese larch - well it was sold as one atleast! Thanks for the information, I have repositioned the tree and will remember your watering advice in instances of higher temperatures.

 

[shohin_branches]

not sure how that got in this thread! Was supposed to be a response to someone airlayering!

I do this a lot too. Usually from hitting the back button on mobile when I'm looking at a full-size photo. I'm getting better at using the X in the top corner of the screen, but still not perfect.

 

[Mali84]

My larch has taken a turn for the worse!

Time to discard?….

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Not looking good.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Pray it’s just early fall foliage!

 

[Mali84]

Cambiun in the trunk is still green all the way to the apex but the lowest thinnest branches are brittle.

Advisable to scratch off a section of outer layer on all branches, removing those that are very brittle and no sign of green?

 

[leatherback]

Advisable to scratch off a section of outer layer on all branches, removing those that are very brittle and no sign of green?

no. It is NEVER a good idea to scratch bark away.

 

[Betula1]

I suggest just leave it in the shade during this latest heatwave, keep it under observation and dont mess with it!!
Judging by the extent of dieback it is unlikely to recover and it certainly wont grow any more needles this year as Larch is deciduous .It might be worth investing in another Larch from a reputable bonsai grower but not advisable to buy cheap internet trees!!....

 

[Mali84]

I suggest just leave it in the shade during this latest heatwave, keep it under observation and dont mess with it!!
Judging by the extent of dieback it is unlikely to recover and it certainly wont grow any more needles this year as Larch is deciduous .It might be worth investing in another Larch from a reputable bonsai grower but not advisable to buy cheap internet trees!!....

Agree, lesson learned!…any suggestions as far as reputable UK based nurseries/growers are concerned?

 

[leatherback]

Judging by the extent of dieback it is unlikely to recover

agreed

ut not advisable to buy cheap internet trees!

disagreed that this has anything to do with the source.
The larch seemed to have grown plenty last season. However, repotting a larch when not dormant is a bad idea. Add to that a hot summer and possibly someone new to the species and/or bonsai..