Fuji Cherry Wilting

[samichow99]

Just noticed that one of the fuji cherry trees i purchased from a nursery this year has a ton of branches that are wilting and drooping. No root work done on it this year. Could be because the soil is too moist? The tree still has a lot of healthy growing branches.

 

[Jrmcmich]

Soil does look very wet. Has it been rainy? I know Couple of mine that are in dominant potting soil mix I try to keep from getting too wet and sometimes only have to water every 2-3 days

 

[samichow99]

Soil does look very wet. Has it been rainy? I know Couple of mine that are in dominant potting soil mix I try to keep from getting too wet and sometimes only have to water every 2-3 days

Yup its been quite rainy, however my other fuji cherries are thriving. I had one branch die back earlier in April right after i bought it but it wasn’t as extensive as this. Was suspecting it to be a pest in the soil.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Looks like a root issue. My guess is drainage is impaired in some way…. Broken down media, clogged drain holes

Might want to pull the whole shooting match out of the pot and check the media… and drain holes. Could possibly drill the media with a long 1/“ drill (let the drill go where it wants to). Or better still… drill holes all up and down and around the side and bottom of the nursery pot.

We do this a lot to help drainage and root prune when no baskets are on hand.

Other ideas. Remove 1” of the bottom media and add a 1” layer of pumice on bottom to help drain the pot.

Finally put a 2x2 or rock under one side of the pot to lower the water table and help drainage.

Good luck!
DSD sends