Mugo turning brown

[bruce.c909]

Hi all,
This is my first post on this amazing forum after a long time lurking and learning... Hoping somebody can help me with my poorly mugo pine, whose needles are quite quickly turning brown, some with distinctive white tips that look almost like cigarette ash.

I know there's a bit of pine aphid infestation, but I don't think it's that which is causing all the browning. Any ideas what might be wrong, and what might be the best treatment? Please... I really love this tree.

I'm in the south of France, if that helps.

Thank you in advance for all suggestions and pointers.

Bruce

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Welcome to the site!

What soil are you using for your tree? Did you recently repot?

Would it be possible to see a photo of the entire tree?

 

[bruce.c909]

Thank you for the welcome – it's a fantastic site. And thanks for the swift reply.

I'm not sure what the soil is, as the tree is still in the same soil and pot it came from the nursery in – but the soil is quite dense and heavy-looking, and not what I imagine would be ideal for a pine. (It came from Bonsai Galinou, a large and well-established bonsai nursery here in France where they raise all their own trees.) I can contact them to find out more about the soil – and I intend to ask their advice too.

I bought the tree in January (actually it was bought for me as a birthday gift!), and I haven't repotted as I believe summer is the best time to repot these pines.

Here's the entire tree as requested.

 

[SFDrake]

Welcome Bruce! Giving these guys as much general info about your plant from the start will better help them determine the proper steps to get your little guy back to tip top (when possible).
Try to include your watering details, where the tree is positioned in relation to sunlight, what your weather has been like, any recent changes you've made, how long you've had it, fertilizer schedule, and so on...most times it is hard to determine issues just from looking at photos. Good luck with this tree!

 

[bruce.c909]

Thanks SFDrake, that sounds like good advice.

So... the tree lives on a west-facing terrace. I've been watering it no more than once or at most twice a week as the soil is quite dense and takes a while to dry out. I try to observe the soil and only water when it starts to dry out, rather than watering to a schedule. Also, for what it's worth, I've quite a few other trees, including another pine, which seem to be doing fine under my care. I've made no changes at all to this little guy since it arrived in January, apart from increasing the watering frequency since spring arrived a few weeks ago. I also haven't fed it at all, as this is my first Mugo and I understand they don't require a lot by way of feeding. Perhaps I should!

Thanks again!

 

[Paradox]

Those needles are dessicated. Looks like not enough water to me.
Either just not frequent enough or couldn't penetrate the soil. Ie the soil is compacted.

Those branches are most likely dead and will not turn green again....sorry

 

[bruce.c909]

Okay, thanks, I'll increase the watering a little and see if that helps.

Interesting thought about the soil potentially being compacted. It was obviously doing okay in the nursery and it's only been here a few months... makes me wonder if perhaps the underlying problem existed before I brought it home. Guess I'll never know. Anyway, thanks again. If I lose a few branches that would be a real shame – but if I lost the whole tree I'd be devastated.