Deteriorating Privet

[Spacetime]

I received this tree about two months ago and have done my best to care for it but I fear it may be dying on me. When I first received it, the tree was full of leaves but has been steadily dropping them. The majorities of the leaves fell within a week which I assumed was due to acclimatization issues but it continues to lose leaves. At the same time,I have noticed new growth including new roots out of the drainage hole but some of that growth dries up and falls off as well. I assume that this is probably an overwatering issue but would like some confirmation. I have been watering the tree when the top of the soil feels dry which is about every three to four days. The tree sits on a humidity tray by a south facing window with a plant light I bought because it is oftentimes cloudy here in Bavaria. Any ideas as to what I’m doing wrong?

 

[Lou T]

I received this tree about two months ago and have done my best to care for it but I fear it may be dying on me. When I first received it, the tree was full of leaves but has been steadily dropping them. The majorities of the leaves fell within a week which I assumed was due to acclimatization issues but it continues to lose leaves. At the same time,I have noticed new growth including new roots out of the drainage hole but some of that growth dries up and falls off as well. I assume that this is probably an overwatering issue but would like some confirmation. I have been watering the tree when the top of the soil feels dry which is about every three to four days. The tree sits on a humidity tray by a south facing window with a plant light I bought because it is oftentimes cloudy here in Bavaria. Any ideas as to what I’m doing wrong?View attachment 222749View attachment 222750

Watch your watering schedule, don’t over water as you said. Also bring that light as close as you can. I don’t think privets require any sort of concrete dormancy period. They are pretty resilient to a broad range of climates. Here in Florida it’s damn near impossible to kill these things. I would leave this plant outside through the next Bavarian winter after your growing season, maybe bringing it inside a garage through tough cold spells. Also check for insects.

 

[Zach Smith]

Put it outdoors as soon as weather permits. Privet is not meant to be kept inside. Also check the roots come spring, it may need repotting. Privet grows roots like crazy, and will do best with an annual root-pruning.

 

[Spacetime]

Thanks for the info. I thought as much but it’s nice to hear from someone who actually knows.

 

[cbroad]

@Spacetime
You have a cool tree there, I like it!

Looks like a sinensis or what we call here a Chinese privet. Where I live they are deciduous (mostly) and usually are bullet proof but that's outdoors.

Where I used to work full time was at a 5 acre outdoor nursery and a 2 acre greenhouse and I would see fungal problems on our indoor prebonsai privet. It was always the sinensis that would get a leaf spot and if I remember correctly powdery mildew too.

Just something to be aware of since your tree is indoors. If it was me, I'd ditch the humidity tray and maybe even set up one of those small clip fans to move the air around the plant a little.

Excessive moisture+poor air flow+indoors=very bad things

 

[neil larson]

Keep this plant in front of a south window during the winter, reduce watering & get it outside as soon as you are frost free.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I received this tree about two months ago and have done my best to care for it but I fear it may be dying on me.

Welcome to the site!

(1) Where did you buy it? In what conditions was it being kept?
(2) Did the previous owner describe care for you? Did he/she say whether or not it was evergreen, or whether it went dormant in the winter?

There are a lot of different privets, and the ones that grow here in California are tropical and evergreen. As @cbroad said, I believe yours is a Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense - Chinese privet has very fine hairs on the stems and undersides of the leaves which other privets lack.

If your tree is used to going dormant at this time of year, and you are keeping it indoors, it may be a little confused

 

[Spacetime]

My girlfriend bought me the tree at a bonsai nursery in Frankfurt. The tree was being kept inside a greenhouse and my girlfriend was told that it was an indoor tree but would benefit from being taken outside during the spring and summer. She was told how frequently the tree should be watered but not much else beyond that. Looking at the undersides of the leaves, it would appear that this is a ligustrum sinense.

 

[Melospiza]

Agree with the other comments. The tree can probably take a fair amount of cold, and should be wintered in a cool spot, like a cold frame or unheated sunroom. The humidity tray is probably keeping the lower part of the soil too wet as well. If you mention your location and hardiness zone in your profile, people will be able to give more helpful advice.