Podocarpus not doing well

[maroun.c]

Had this pidocarpus for about 5 years transitioned to pumice and clay soil and grows well every year and normally darkgreen colored with leaves looking very healthy. Last Nov it fell and pot broke and had to repot to a new shallower pot however pot cracked but the soil remained in one. Ball so kinsman work was done and barely any roots affected. This summer it hasn't been as energetic and lots of leaves yellowed and it lost some branches. Not sure if it could be under or over watering or some pest. We spray the garden couple times in the summer so doubt a pest is the culprit and all tress next to it doing well.
Any advice on what to do ? Haven't fertilized except for some organic chicken manure pellets in tiny amount. Do I think i should fertilize ir maybe foliar feed in case roots are not healthy? Any advice ?
Thanks

 

[Potawatomi13]

Very good base. What is kinsman work? The shallower pot "may" be the problem. I would suggest hand watering to be sure all roots get a share. Also is this free draining soil and does it run out the bottom right away? I am also a fan of foliar feeding but at less than full strength. Best of fortune.

 

[maroun.c]

Thanks for your input
Sorry autocorrect Messed it up: No rootwork was done abd roots were barely affected by the fall.
Thanks will try manual watering, i have the automated watering thing for days I travel as double safety if family forgets to water the trees ....

 

[Potawatomi13]

I love this tree. I think you posted it a few years ago . It looks overgrown now and might be a good idea to start to cut back upper branching as this will give greater energy to any lower branches you want to keep. Any time to do this is likely OK but personally do after growth so it adds its bit to trunk size before removal.

 

[maroun.c]

Thanks
Yeah did post it a few times. Haven't gotten to trim it last couple years so will be doing so. Plan was to donit in couple months when weather is a bit cooler to avoid bleeding, not sure if those can be cut in summer? so planned to wait till fall...
Will definitely cut the upper branches.

 

[Adamski77]

I have few of these... and sometimes they will drop a branch here or there. Can you get a good photo of tips on the top of the tree... they do seem to be growing well...

 

[Potawatomi13]

Thanks
Yeah did post it a few times. Haven't gotten to trim it last couple years so will be doing so. Plan was to donit in couple months when weather is a bit cooler to avoid bleeding, not sure if those can be cut in summer? so planned to wait till fall...
Will definitely cut the upper branches.

I use clay type cut paste on pitchy or leaky trees and where I don't want die back from the cut edges. Are these actual conifers?

 

[maroun.c]

I have few of these... and sometimes they will drop a branch here or there. Can you get a good photo of tips on the top of the tree... they do seem to be growing well...

Sure will post when back home. They did have a crazy growth spurr with branches in top shooting fast up last year in summer then this year I can see leaves with lighter green and a bit less growth then few lost branches.

 

[maroun.c]

I use clay type cut paste on pitchy or leaky trees and where I don't want die back from the cut edges. Are these actual conifers?

Im not sure if find very little info on pidocarpus. Remember someone comparing them to conifers and saying they are somehow comparable.

 

[Adamski77]

Podocarpus is a genus of conifers... just growing in more warm/tropical places...