Hi, I have one of the above trees in a large pot in sunny spot, is well watered but the leaves are beginning to curl and the tips of branches and I don`t want to lose it. They are not brown like they are wilting? Has anyone got any ideas what the problem might be. It must have plenty of food in the pot as we haven`t had it for more than a few months?

Could you by chance have the cultivar Curly Locks? Those curl and twist.

Where are you located? If your weather's been really hot, it might need a vacation in a shadier place. Especially keep it out of the hot afternoon sun.

These are shrubs that grow along stream beds and such places, that usually have tons of water, and dappled shade. IF it's cooking in the sun these days, it may not be able to suck down water fast enough to keep its new leaves growing.

Also, is the pot a dark color? That might be heating up the root ball when the sun hits a dark pot, too.

Thank you for your help. It is not in the hottest part of the garden, but not in shade, in a terracotta pot with plenty of water. I will also look up Curly Locks, not heard of that.It is a bit big for me to move to shade altogether, though.

A picture might be helpful, too.

Terracotta pots do lose water faster than a plastic or ceramic pot, as well. Especially if the sun's on them. Even if you set the terracotta pot inside a lighter colored pot, that would keep the root ball cooler and it would lose less moisture.

It is actually terracotta colour but large plastic pot. I am afraid I am unable to send photos since having this new laptop! It looks worse today, like all the leaves are limp and going to fall off. It is a standard. I think it may be going to die and I love it. Do they lose their leaves in summer, underneath look like buds apearing?

Definitely should not be losing leaves in summer. If you can, I'd turn it on its side and slide it out of the pot a bit to see what's happening.

Sometimes potting mix dries out too much in the middle, and then is hard to get wet again. It will appear to be moist on the top, but the whole pot is a dry brick inside. The water you give it may be running right through but not getting to the roots.

IF you find this, you need to stand that puppy in a deep pan or bucket of water, or break up the dried soil a bit, then soak it.