New shoots are wilting on several pines

[ironliver316]

I just noticed a problem with a bunch of my pines a few weeks ago. The new shoots on 7 of my pines are wilting. Some worse than others, the worst one having needles as floppy and soft as brand new grass and the stems of the shoots shriveling up. The only thing I can think of is that the backyard of my house is VERY shaded by a bunch of very tall trees, and they weren't getting enough light. But idk if that causes wilting? I moved here in September, so this is my first growing season in this yard and have nothing to compare to.
It has been very rainy in Jersey this summer, and I know too much water can cause problems, especially in nursery soil. But 2 of the pines are in colanders with very free draining soil, and even they were affected. Maybe a combo of the two? Little light and a lot of rain...
I've moved them all to the sunniest place in the yard about 2 weeks ago, where they can get sun most of the day. Still no improvement yet.
I did see a bunch of ants on maybe 4 or 5 shoots on one of the pines. Just one tree, nothing on the rest. But I didn't see any actual aphids before I sprayed, just the ants. And they definitely weren't there for long, as I've been checking on the pines almost daily.
Any suggestions?

 

[Shibui]

Nothing concrete, just some suggestions to check up on.
Long shoots may not be strong enough to stand up as they get longer. In plantation grown pines it is known as speed wobbles when new shoots grow too fast and too long to stay straight up. Light may have some bearing on that in your case.
Other possible reasons relate to dehydration which can be from either not enough water or if root problems prevent the trees from taking in enough water. I'd be checking in the soil - as deep as you can go without digging the trees out - to find out if the soil is actually real wet or a bit dry. If a couple can be gently tipped out of the pots to check soil and roots that would be even better. I've never seen pine shoots wilt at that stage of growth from dehydration. Usually only when candles are extending and still a bit soft.

Hope someone else comes on with some ideas.

 

[NaoTK]

This looks like too much water, but first check things as Shibui says. If the soil is wet down there it means the roots are rotted and it is unlikely to get better. The soil looks too rich for how much you are watering.

If the soil is soaked you can do an emergency slip pot. This is Hail Mary time. Take your trees out of their pots and set it in a much larger pot of pumice. Do not water or disturb the roots.