I collected this Larch, and several others, last spring in the Mts outside of town. All of them did well all summer and came out bright a cheery this spring until I noticed some dying back on some of the branches on this one. I have taken some pictures and hope someone can help with this. The whole branch was affected on several and only part of the branch was affected on others. Only one tree was affected this way. Any clues? Thanks for help. Peter
Larch problem...need advice please
- Thread starter August44
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amcoffeegirl
Masterpiece
Likely no one has gotten around to answering yet. Have patience.
River's Edge
Masterpiece
Hi Peter
I would suspect root damage on collection or root deterioration after repotting. It appears to be affecting individual branches more so and also certain lower sections on the same side. At this point I would remove the affected branches and monitor for the growing season. Would only consider treatment if the condition continues.
My first step if the condition continues would be to check out the roots on that side of the tree, examine for root rot or grubs eating the feeder roots.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
One of my larches did the same last fall when I drowned it.
Dropped a couple branches but that was all.
I would review your watering schedule, you might be watering too much.
Dropped a couple branches but that was all.
I would review your watering schedule, you might be watering too much.
james
Shohin
Likely branch or root damage during collection. Rest of tree looks strong. There is not anything you can "correct" at this point. I might discourage digging, or looking at roots. Looks well potted now in good soil, disrupting roots might be asking for more trouble?
Soldano666
Omono
Looks fungal. I lost a couple nice ones last fall. I was slacking on my preventive measures and paid the price. My trees were relocated to a new property and I lost most of.my direct sun. That combined with a wet fall caused lots of this same die back. And here we are in spring and they don't seem to be waking up very well. Once you have fungal issues it's tough to get rid of them. The best approach is to treat as a preventative tactic.
AlainK
Imperial Masterpiece
I had similar issues with mine, though not the same species of larch, Larix x eurolepis). And when I repotted them, each time there were damaged or rotten roots.
So the problem probably is roots/root rot, from to much water. So I will assume that now is not a good time to repot with it being in full bud. So should I drench with a fungus killer and then watch the watering? If so please suggest a good one to use. It does not seem to be getting worse, and some of the branches are only partially affected. Also, I collected this last spring and it has not been repotted since then. All was well until this spring. All help is appreciated. Thanks!
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
I'm personally divided in giving opinions about emergency repots. This doesn't seem like an emergency, so I suggest you don't repot. If everything went yellow or brown, then I'd advise to do a repot.
Fungus killer would work, unless it's bacterial. If the fungus doesn't get enough rotting tissue or enough water, it'll stop spreading. Same goes with bacteria, which can also be killed with oxygen.
A peroxide treatment (1 tablespoon of 3% peroxide on a gallon of water) would have similar effects, at least on bacteria.
The root of the issue is too much water. Antibiotics will stop some symptoms, but they're unlikely to tell the guy with the water hose to turn off the tap.
Get yourself a nice bamboo chopstick, or another type of wooden peg and jam it down until you hit the bottom of your pot. Take it out before you want to water; if it's damp or wet, don't water yet. If it's dry, water away! This is a great method of seeing how dry or wet the soil is. It's fool proof, it's cheap, it's a good advice.
I do this with every new soil blend I try, just to get the hang of it. It's the best insight in a soil condition you can have without taking the plant out of the pot or disturbing the soil too much.
Fungus killer would work, unless it's bacterial. If the fungus doesn't get enough rotting tissue or enough water, it'll stop spreading. Same goes with bacteria, which can also be killed with oxygen.
A peroxide treatment (1 tablespoon of 3% peroxide on a gallon of water) would have similar effects, at least on bacteria.
The root of the issue is too much water. Antibiotics will stop some symptoms, but they're unlikely to tell the guy with the water hose to turn off the tap.
Get yourself a nice bamboo chopstick, or another type of wooden peg and jam it down until you hit the bottom of your pot. Take it out before you want to water; if it's damp or wet, don't water yet. If it's dry, water away! This is a great method of seeing how dry or wet the soil is. It's fool proof, it's cheap, it's a good advice.
I do this with every new soil blend I try, just to get the hang of it. It's the best insight in a soil condition you can have without taking the plant out of the pot or disturbing the soil too much.
LanceMac10
Imperial Masterpiece
...by the looks of your soil, @Peter44 , overwatering would be a tough chore with a Larch...most "Tamarack" I see up here are in field bogs.
"damage" on lowest branches only...these'll abandon lower branches pretty easy....
above quote refering to grubs is what I'm thinking, relative to this materials "collected" status.....
I don't think I would worry too much if it was mine....size of material say's "forest", not "stand alone specimen" so these lower branches might/would be superfluous in a forest design.
Good luck!
Leo in N E Illinois
The Professor
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I really can't tell what is going on. I would just let it be and see what it does. There is a reason that many say you can't be sure a collected tree survived until the second or third year.
Grubs, do you have an insecticide on hand, dilute up for use, as per the directions, and drench the soil with it. The label should say grubs, Japanese beetle larva, and so on.
I don't think you are over watering. But check drainage hole, perhaps the drainage hole got plugged up.
Other than that, just leave it alone and wait.
Fungus, I doubt that is the trouble, and you have full sun. With full sun fungus is rarely the problem.
Grubs, do you have an insecticide on hand, dilute up for use, as per the directions, and drench the soil with it. The label should say grubs, Japanese beetle larva, and so on.
I don't think you are over watering. But check drainage hole, perhaps the drainage hole got plugged up.
Other than that, just leave it alone and wait.
Fungus, I doubt that is the trouble, and you have full sun. With full sun fungus is rarely the problem.
