New and Unread Tree-Mails
Views: 155, Replies: 4 » Jump to the end |
Massachusetts  bmaher222 Feb 18, 2021 2:38 PM CST |
Help me please! My Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) has been crunchy and droopy for weeks and I have been unable to help it. I have given it a little more light, watered it a lot, and places it by a humidifier. What is wrong with it?   |
Name: Will Creed NYC Prof. plant consultant & educator  WillC Feb 18, 2021 3:14 PM CST |
| It does not appear to be very bad in the photos. Are the green needles mostly firm and soft and flexible? How far has is it from the nearest uncovered widow and what direction does that window face? How do you determine when to water, how often is that, and how much water do you give it each time? Will Creed Horticultural Help, NYC www.HorticulturalHelp.com Contact me directly at wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com I now have a book available on indoor plant care |
Massachusetts bmaher222 Feb 18, 2021 5:13 PM CST |
| It is in a west facing window now. I sort of neglected it for a little while but a couple weeks ago when I noticed it wasn't doing well I started watering it. I would water every other day or so but it never gets soft. My friend has the same plant and his leaves are super soft. |
Name: Daisy I Reno, Nv (Zone 6b) Not all who wander are lost    DaisyI Feb 18, 2021 6:38 PM CST |
| If the needles are all crispy, its in bad shape. I imagine you let it get too dry before you rescued it. Do a scratch test on the main trunk. If, when you scratch with your finger nail, the tissue just under the bark is green, your tree is alive. If it doesn't scratch or is brown, its dead. If you find life on the main trunks, try to scratch branches next. Araucaria are different from other conifers in that they will grow new branches if they lose the old ones. But your tree will never look the same again. Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost President: Orchid Society of Northern Nevada Webmaster: osnnv.org |
Name: Will Creed NYC Prof. plant consultant & educator WillC Feb 18, 2021 8:09 PM CST |
| Once the needles get dry or brittle, they don't soften up again. This is a plant that does not tolerate dry soil, especially when young and in a small pot as yours is. Even a single watering lapse is enough to harden some of the needles and they don't recover after watering. Just try to avoid letting more than the top surface of the soil get dry before you water and always water thoroughly. Will Creed Horticultural Help, NYC www.HorticulturalHelp.com Contact me directly at wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com I now have a book available on indoor plant care |
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