Scots pine skipping a year of growth

[Fishtank307]

I have this scots that produced buds last year, but didn't develop candles during spring or summer. The buds thickened, some opened up a little bit, but that was it.
It was dug up three years ago, styled at the end of last winter and slip-potted when the buds were just about to open. But then it just stopped growing.

Right now it's still green underneath the bark, foliage looks okay. A few spots here and there, I already sprayed some systemic fungicide just in case.

Does anyone else ever encounter a similar situation?

 

[M. Frary]

Does anyone else ever encounter a similar situation

Only when I've killed one.
If it isnt green save the pot.

 

[Fishtank307]

Only when I've killed one.
If it isnt green save the pot.

I'm hoping last year's growth stays good and it manages to get through winter okay!

 

[M. Frary]

I'm hoping last year's growth stays good and it manages to get through winter okay!

Hope so.

 

[0soyoung]

Sounds like root trouble, to me.
It is as though the roots were overly pruned.

 

[LanceMac10]

Sounds like root trouble, to me.
It is as though the roots were overly pruned.

Dug three years ago, then slip potted....sounds like rotten roots to me....

 

[Fishtank307]

Sounds like root trouble, to me.
It is as though the roots were overly pruned.

I didn't prune the roots when I slip potted it.. It was planted in bad soil though, very compacted. I just removed the top layer and combed of some soil from the sides and bottom.

 

[Fishtank307]

Dug three years ago, then slip potted....sounds like rotten roots to me....

Could be the case..

 

[Forsoothe!]

Dead. Just has fallen over yet.

 

[DirkvanDreven]

Sorry for your Los

 

[Fishtank307]

It's producing new buds, so it's not dead ... yet! I'm just going to keep fertilizing and hope for the best.

 

[KiwiPlantGuy]

Hi Fishtank,
I am no expert in pines so here goes.
My best guess is that from your info it is in desperate need of a repot in the Spring. Getting rid of all of the crappy soil, and keeping lots of mycorrhiza fungi. As it is weak in condition I would be tempted to play safe and do a HBR (half bare root), eg half this year and then half in the next 1-2 years.
The doomsday buddies from previous posts are correct re root rot, but definitely not dead. I look forward to an update in the next Summer or two with a stronger growth after good root growth etc.
My 2 cents, Charles

 

[Fishtank307]

Hi Fishtank,
I am no expert in pines so here goes.
My best guess is that from your info it is in desperate need of a repot in the Spring. Getting rid of all of the crappy soil, and keeping lots of mycorrhiza fungi. As it is weak in condition I would be tempted to play safe and do a HBR (half bare root), eg half this year and then half in the next 1-2 years.
The doomsday buddies from previous posts are correct re root rot, but definitely not dead. I look forward to an update in the next Summer or two with a stronger growth after good root growth etc.
My 2 cents, Charles

My thoughts exactly, thanks! If it makes it through the winter and it produces a decent flush, I think I can safely repot it and remove more of the old soil.

 

[LanceMac10]

Have you had a chance to peruse the....

Late summer repotting

Spruce # 87 It's called 'late summer repotting' Never ever fall! Summer is until mid-September. But that's already LATE. I have repotted a huge spruce yesterday with Thomas. Now starts the repotting time until first week of September. You have to watch two things. General health of tree. Do not...

www.bonsainut.com

...thread? @Fishtank307

...don't really think the situation is going to improve with it's current conditions....

 

[Fishtank307]

Have you had a chance to peruse the....

Late summer repotting

Spruce # 87 It's called 'late summer repotting' Never ever fall! Summer is until mid-September. But that's already LATE. I have repotted a huge spruce yesterday with Thomas. Now starts the repotting time until first week of September. You have to watch two things. General health of tree. Do not...

www.bonsainut.com

...thread? @Fishtank307

...don't really think the situation is going to improve with it's current conditions....

How could I not have followed that thread!
But I'm not sure if the tree is going to benefit from a second repotting... It simply isn't growing (apart from the buds for next year). So I can't expect it to grow new roots when I do repot it now. Plus, I don't think the tree could handle any more stress right now
When I repotted it, I removed some of the old soil from the top and sides, and put it in course akadama and lava rock, 50/50 mix or so. This was done at the end of May, when the first buds started to open. I can only hope it has grown some new roots since then.

 

[AlainK]

When I encounter this kind of pb, I just slip-pot it in a larger container with 100% 3-5 mm pozzolane so the roots can get some oxygen.

I don't fertilize because if the roots are weak, it can kill them. I add liquid organic root stimulator, natural hormones, mainly auxins from various plants I guess.

 

[Fishtank307]

When I encounter this kind of pb, I just slip-pot it in a larger container with 100% 3-5 mm pozzolane so the roots can get some oxygen.

I don't fertilize because if the roots are weak, it can kill them. I add liquid organic root stimulator, natural hormones, mainly auxins from various plants I guess.

Good advice. I used rhizotonic as a root stimulator. I really hope it had some effect!