Mugo turning brown

[bruce.c909]

Hi all,
This is my first post on this amazing forum after a long time lurking and learning... Hoping somebody can help me with my poorly mugo pine, whose needles are quite quickly turning brown, some with distinctive white tips that look almost like cigarette ash.

I know there's a bit of pine aphid infestation, but I don't think it's that which is causing all the browning. Any ideas what might be wrong, and what might be the best treatment? Please... I really love this tree.

I'm in the south of France, if that helps.

Thank you in advance for all suggestions and pointers.

Bruce

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Welcome to the site!

What soil are you using for your tree? Did you recently repot?

Would it be possible to see a photo of the entire tree?

 

[bruce.c909]

Thank you for the welcome – it's a fantastic site. And thanks for the swift reply.

I'm not sure what the soil is, as the tree is still in the same soil and pot it came from the nursery in – but the soil is quite dense and heavy-looking, and not what I imagine would be ideal for a pine. (It came from Bonsai Galinou, a large and well-established bonsai nursery here in France where they raise all their own trees.) I can contact them to find out more about the soil – and I intend to ask their advice too.

I bought the tree in January (actually it was bought for me as a birthday gift!), and I haven't repotted as I believe summer is the best time to repot these pines.

Here's the entire tree as requested.

 

[SFDrake]

Welcome Bruce! Giving these guys as much general info about your plant from the start will better help them determine the proper steps to get your little guy back to tip top (when possible).
Try to include your watering details, where the tree is positioned in relation to sunlight, what your weather has been like, any recent changes you've made, how long you've had it, fertilizer schedule, and so on...most times it is hard to determine issues just from looking at photos. Good luck with this tree!

 

[bruce.c909]

Thanks SFDrake, that sounds like good advice.

So... the tree lives on a west-facing terrace. I've been watering it no more than once or at most twice a week as the soil is quite dense and takes a while to dry out. I try to observe the soil and only water when it starts to dry out, rather than watering to a schedule. Also, for what it's worth, I've quite a few other trees, including another pine, which seem to be doing fine under my care. I've made no changes at all to this little guy since it arrived in January, apart from increasing the watering frequency since spring arrived a few weeks ago. I also haven't fed it at all, as this is my first Mugo and I understand they don't require a lot by way of feeding. Perhaps I should!

Thanks again!

 

[Paradox]

Those needles are dessicated. Looks like not enough water to me.
Either just not frequent enough or couldn't penetrate the soil. Ie the soil is compacted.

Those branches are most likely dead and will not turn green again....sorry

 

[bruce.c909]

Okay, thanks, I'll increase the watering a little and see if that helps.

Interesting thought about the soil potentially being compacted. It was obviously doing okay in the nursery and it's only been here a few months... makes me wonder if perhaps the underlying problem existed before I brought it home. Guess I'll never know. Anyway, thanks again. If I lose a few branches that would be a real shame – but if I lost the whole tree I'd be devastated.

 

[Sabine Louise Frau]

Bonjour
Quel hasard, je cherchais une réponse à un questionnement au sujet de mon mugo acheté également chez Galinou et je suis tombée sur vôtre post. La photo sur mon badge c'est l'arbre au moment de l'achat sur le site. Le pot en plastique était complétement casé, je l'ai donc transpoté dans les règles de l'art. J'ai enlevé une partie du substrat noir, (il y avait 2 larves de hanneton) le reste trop compact est resté et j'ai rempli le pot de pumice. Quelques temps après j'ai mis de l'orgasyl, des mycorhizes et tout ce qui va bien ! Arrossage modéré en suivant les conseils joints au colis ! L'hivers se passe et patatra vers le mois de mai, beaucoup d'aiguilles jaunissent et tombent très vite, bon ok, il fait son automne maintenant me suis-je dis. Et ensuite, çà a roussi sans devenir jaune ! Une partie des branches sont restées vertes, des bourgeons sont sortis avec beaucoup de sac à pollen. Il a clairement sacrifié des branches, donc pas de question à me poser pour faire du bois mort ! Quid du problème ? J'ai peut-être fait des erreurs, mais un pin réagit toujours longtemps après un stress ou un problème ! Beaucoup de mauvais retour sur Galinou. Producteur à l'origine de bonsai pour supermarché, grosse exploitation qu'il faut faire tourner ! C'est clair que pour moi c'est terminé. Là, je reviens du Malauvrier Sho et franchement les producteurs présents avaient de très beaux arbres à tous les stades (et des yamadoris) et à des prix très compétitifs. Voilà mon expérience, je continue à lui apporter tous mes soins en croisant les doigts pour qu'il passe l'été. Bon courage à vous aussi. Sabine (près de Bordeaux)

 

[Betula1]

Okay, thanks, I'll increase the watering a little and see if that helps.

Interesting thought about the soil potentially being compacted. It was obviously doing okay in the nursery and it's only been here a few months... makes me wonder if perhaps the underlying problem existed before I brought it home. Guess I'll never know. Anyway, thanks again. If I lose a few branches that would be a real shame – but if I lost the whole tree I'd be devastated.

There seem to be no signs of candles or extension growth, which strongly suggests the tree has been desiccated for quite a while. Watering only once or twice a week is inadequate at this time of year. You could try aerating/ decompacting the soil by poking a screwdriver or chopstick to enable water to penetrate better and try plunging the whole pot in a bowl or bucket of water for a few hours, to thoroughly soak the rootball.

 

[minkes]

Maybe it is just too hot enviroment for mugo pine down there. Here they grows on top of the mountains, where is short growing season, colder climate and more humidity. It is alpine specie, so maybe this is part of the reason the tree is desicated.

 

[Sabine Louise Frau]

C'est possible ! On va bien voir, j'ai décompacté la motte, mis à la mi -ombre, j'arrose le feuillage tous les jours, + nutriments foliaires de temps en temps ! Là on est en plein pic de chaleur 38° pour aujourd'hui, heureusement les nuits sont plus fraiches ! J'ai d'autres types de pin et ils vont très bien. Effectivement peut-être plus adaptés !