Root rot on cuttings?

[apolaine]

I have a bunch of local deciduous seedlings that I collected from the forest and my garden in May. Several of them have done pretty well so far - the sycamores have grown particularly well.

I put them in these window box pots with just ordinary flower/herb potting soil (with gravel as a drainage layer) at the time because I had no idea what I was doing and I didn’t have any other soil. (In the pics everything looks wet because I just watered after a hot day).

I’m frankly surprised they grew at all. Anyway, recently I’ve noticed some of the lower leaves starting to brown.

I’m wondering whether I’m getting root rot due to the very peaty soil. So my question is whether I should just leave them until Autumn and hope for the best, or half slip pot them (take out as much as I can around them without disturbing the roots) into training pots with some non-organic substrate around them to see whether they’ll do better. Obviously it’s full summer here (Germany, Zone 7b) right now with temps hitting 31C regularly, but the choice seems to be death from root rot or death from slip potting.

 

[Shibui]

I can't see any lower leaves starting to go brown but there are a number of things that could be causing that.
Root rot is not as common as would be expected given all the talk. Best to water according to the soil so only water when the soil under the surface is drying. Do not just rely on the surface which will dry quicker and not give an accurate indication.
Sycamores that young could probably manage bare root and root prune even in summer but probably safest to leave as is and manage the water until a better transplant time.
You should be fertilizing these seedlings now. Starvation can also cause lower leaves to turn brown.

 

[apolaine]

Thanks. Yes, they’re getting fertilised. Maybe I’ll just water a bit less. The other possibilities are critters and/or the big upper leaves throwing a lot of shade.

 

[cmeg1]

Root fungus can attack roots....I notice it get into some of my indoor trees especially when sitting on trays......The spores eventually get indoors.What happens is it affects ph of roots and they vet nutrient deficiencies at the onset.
I use this product as it has caustic potash?? Which I believe is the magic ingrediant that is said to curr and prevent root rot......sonetimes when you get it its so annoying I just toos the infected ones.....especially in a tray with other plants.....if these first season go and attempt a seedling air layer.Young first and second growing season seedling are much more succesful with layering.

 

[cmeg1]

Check see if condusive species for rooting.......and also plants are looking good........when you eventually go volcanic substrate....I would ph you solution.......the organic does a fine job eapecially when it has the lime and such there......stony bonsai soil should have 5.8-6.4 nutrient solution as essentially a drain to waste hydro medium.In soil I believe solution is slightly higher at 6.4-6.8? because it buffers naturally.Very easy to ph...usually about 4-7 drops per gallon after adding npk.
Deficiencies will get you by end of season in a lot of cases without proper ph even in pre treated potting soil.

Amazon.com : General Hydroponics pH Up & pH Down - 8 Oz Each : Soil And Soil Amendments : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : General Hydroponics pH Up & pH Down - 8 Oz Each : Soil And Soil Amendments : Garden & Outdoor

www.amazon.com

 

[apolaine]

Thanks. Yes, I’ve got plenty of inorganic substrate now for my other trees. It was just that I didn’t want to disturb the cuttings mid-summer.

 

[apolaine]

Thanks.

 

[leatherback]

These species are not great for bonsai though...

If you want... I have a tray of maple seedlings, multiple species and varieties, as well as some elm and some your larches. You are not around the corner but close enough that I can pop some in an envelope in fall for you.

 

[apolaine]

Leaves too big, you mean?

Let’s have a chat in fall in that case. Will they survive mailing?

 

[leatherback]

Will they survive mailing?

No problem. I have mailed bigger..

 

[leatherback]

If you want... I have a tray of maple seedlings, multiple species and varieties, as well as some elm and some your larches. You are not around the corner but close enough that I can pop some in an envelope in fall for you.

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