Hello from switzerland and thank you already for opening my thread.
My Japanese White Pine, (Mädchenkiefer in german) that I aquired a couple of years ago seems to have some troubles, and I have issues understanding what to do next. 2 Years ago, I moved to the mountains, 1250m above sea level. Couple of months before, I had some branches lost because of falling snow.
I thought, I give her time, to adapt to the new height. I was living at 400m before. The previous owner had her standing a bit more shady, but the colors of the needles where deeply green. after being more exposed to the sun, it changed quite a lot.
However, now, in spring, I cleand out again a lot of dead needles and noticed, that many branches, that used to have needles, are dryed out and breaking of easily. So - im very worried. I am actually planning to perform my first repot with her, tomorrow or the day after. Planning to remove 50-60% of soil and replacing it in the same pot with fresh akadama/volcano. I also thought it might be a good idea to remove the wire.
Do you guys see anything that goes against both actions. Do you recommend even not to repot, or any other ideas.
Can someone give me ideas if I should leave the dead branches in or cut them out?
Any help is very appreciated. Thank you in advance.
repot seems like the right play, lovely tree but its a big tree (needle mass wise) in a small pot (which looks kick ass) so it might have fully scaled all the current soil and needs a repot. To me the needle drop looks like it is in areas where the needles are just less efficient. Before you said you were planning to repot I was thinking a repot might be in order.I am no expert and if you have access to the Q&A def worth tossing this at Ryan. goodluck and great looking tree
1:1:1 lava pumice akadama pull out the 1/16” and protect from freezing afterwards. I see snow in the back ground so it may need to come inside at night or when close to 32F
You lost apex. That I have been told represents a sick shen/shin. Bad percolation. I’d definitely repot. Removing old branches there’s No rush.deadwood may have interest. All branches should have same quantity of foliage. I would double check but the circled branch really needs to be reduced. It’s sucking all the strength from the rest of the tree
I think Ryan recommends 1/8-1/4 inch as the primary soil size for pines with 1/4 to 1/2 inch as the drainage layer. He pulls out everything below 1/8” in the new soil mix for pines as they prefer a faster draining soil with a slightly drier environment
It does not change how you handle the old soil, never bare root a evergreen & always leave a portion untouched
Looks like some of the dead needles may just be interior prior years needles. So it may just be their turn in the cycle. Would still certainly repot with a pot that size at year 7.
