Browning needles on Cryptomeria?

[Matt3839]

Hi, I recently got some young Cryptomeria Japonica and planted them in 2 gallon buckets with slightly acidic, loamy potting soil and 1/3 perlite. It’s been about two weeks and I’ve noticed some browning and yellowing on some of the needles.

Could it just be stress from being shipped and repotting recently?
They get morning dappled sunlight and afternoon shade.

I’m trying to grow them larger for now before I start working on them later down the line.

 

[Shibui]

Browning appears to be on newer growth so not simply older needles dying. Most likely just after effects of the move and/or transplant. Just make sure you are not keeping the soil wet. Loamy soil does not drain as well as the more modern potting soils so you'll need to take more care of when to water.
Full disclosure: I don't grow cryptomeria any more due to frequent deaths so please take my advice with the usual grains of salt.

 

[Cajunrider]

Browning appears to be on newer growth so not simply older needles dying. Most likely just after effects of the move and/or transplant. Just make sure you are not keeping the soil wet. Loamy soil does not drain as well as the more modern potting soils so you'll need to take more care of when to water.
Full disclosure: I don't grow cryptomeria any more due to frequent deaths so please take my advice with the usual grains of salt.

I only had one cryptomeria. It was very healthy or so I thought until it inexplicably died. I am sure there was a reason but I don't know what it was.

 

[Matt3839]

Thank you for your input. I’ve noticed the soil despite peeling and pumice does hold moisture for a long time. I may try and drill some aeration holes in the sides and bottom of the pots because It seems like a second repotting is just going to stress the trees out too much.

In the future - in a year or two I was thinking maybe to try repotting in pond baskets with a better draining substrate. If they make it.