Shimpaku Juniper seedling yellowing

[Mikea454]

I've have this shimpaku for about 6 wks, purchased online. it was doing great growing new foliage and even back budding on the trunk. in the last few days it very suddenly started to yellow. It's still in the pot and.spik it came in. Watered only with rain pH is 5. Humidity tray as been underneath and rarely runs dry (also rarely does the water touch the pot - only after rain which I dump when I check). it has a fertilizer basket of 12-8-8 slow release pellets. It does get strong afternoon sun and we did have 3 consecutive days hit 95 on T, W, Th of last week - yellowing first noticed on this Monday. I haven't not been misting the foliage and due to the position of the foliage it doesn't get wet when I water. We have had rain at least 4 or 5 days in the last 10.

Was this just too much hot sun or is there something else I am missing?

the help is very appreciated.

 

[Mikea454]

I know yellowing and dropping foliage is normal for junipers, but it's such a scrawny gangily juvenile there aren't really 'internal branches' they all get sun, but maybe it's that simple since the top is still lush.

 

[Shibui]

Yellowing internal foliage is not only from lack of light. Oldest needles are also inside. Any needle/leaf has a finite life then they die. For evergreen usually 2-3 year lifespan.
The photo is a bit far away to get good detail but the upper foliage looks very healthy so I doubt there's any systemic problem. Most likely just the oldest needles getting to the end of life and giving up. A closer look at the lower branches and the top would help ID any possible problem.

It is possible that it dried out at some stage during hot weather. Really dry will kill the whole plant but when it is under slightly less moisture stress the tree can choose to let less important parts die while sending the scarce water to the important parts - usually the top.
Watering small pots is an art. Learning to water so the ENTIRE soil mass gets properly wet takes time. Water does not penetrate into dry soil easily so a quick watering is often not enough during hot weather. I encourage newbies to soak the pot every week or 2 through summer to ensure it does get properly wet occasionally. You may also be able to feel the difference in weight from a dry pot to a properly wet pot.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If its standing in water than that might be an issue. I would remove the tray, or poke holes in the side so that it holds water for just a while and not the whole day.

 

[Deleted member 47471]

Placing bonsai pots or growing containers into water trays allows the roots to sit in standing water, causing eventual root rot and death.

 

[Mikea454]

Placing bonsai pots or growing containers into water trays allows the roots to sit in standing water, causing eventual root rot and death.

it's balance on rocks so spends 95% of the time above the water

yes I'll poke a hole in the tray so so fresh rain flows out before it males.contact to make 100%

 

[Mikea454]

does that help?

 

[bwaynef]

it's balance on rocks so spends 95% of the time above the water

yes I'll poke a hole in the tray so so fresh rain flows out before it males.contact to make 100%

Just take it off the tray.

 

[Mikea454]

Just take it off the tray.

I had read.somewhere theu like the extra humidity, was that incorrect?

 

[bwaynef]

Its not getting any noticeable humidity from the tray. You may not want to take advice from me on growing shimpaku w/o humidity as here in SC, we have plenty. (Currently 9:25p and 73% humidity.) That said, shimpaku grows pretty well in the Central Valley of CA (5:25p & 23% humidity). I think you're getting very little benefit by having it in the tray, and its likely a culprit in the yellowing.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Take off the tray, watch watering, give as much full sun as possible.

 

[Mikea454]

Thhank you all, I will

 

[Shibui]

does that help?

Definitely. I can see that some of the lower shoots are still green but also many smaller ones have died.
It is reassuring that the top is healthy and growing well but something has happened to affect those lower shoots however not sure what has triggered it.
Stress of any kind can cause this. The tree responds to minor stress by reducing demand and shedding some shoots, usually starting with less useful lower branches and concentrating all available energy on valuable upper shoots. Stress can include not enough sun. It can happen if they get dry enough to hurt but not dry enough to kill. Minor root problem may also cause some loss of lower shoots. Nutrient deficiency can also cause this. You will need to work through all the possibilities and make adjustments accordingly.

I had read.somewhere theu like the extra humidity, was that incorrect?

I have found that here. Definitely NOT wet feet but some humidity around the foliage seems to be good.