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Arbutus unedo dying?

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  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    First of all they need sun. At least 5 hours. When they mature, they are more adaptable with shade. The other concerning thing is grub like stuff found in your soil. You might have Vine Weevils, so check that again as they can damage roots. The way your plant is drooping is either a water issue (not enough water) or roots being eaten or damaged. 

    Newly planted in, they need watering every 3-4 days in autumn. Deep generous watering so water gets into the roots. I suggest a bucket poured slowly in autumn. Keep an eye. If it's still drooping, check the roots. It may be, you have Vine Weevil.

    I also suggest, you should be pruning them a bit to help with branching out. But, since we are in October, I don't think a good time. But certainly next spring, you can do that. Note this affects flowering and fruiting, but they are shrubs that can be pretty big, so priority is the balance and shape first.
  • Borderline, Appreciate your advice very much! 

    I live in northern California, zone 9B. The purpose of moving it to a large pot is to be able to move it to full sun. But someone said that I could not move it before cure.  I'm very entangled on which is better if only dig around the root for checking  Vine Weevils or transplanting the tree to a better environment at this stage. I do see one black vine weevils this afternoon. 

    Should I cover it with a plastic bag to keep moisture on leaves?

    Thank you for the suggestion on pruning. I just want to know how to do it. 😊

  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573

    Borderline, Appreciate your advice very much! 

    I live in northern California, zone 9B. The purpose of moving it to a large pot is to be able to move it to full sun. But someone said that I could not move it before cure.  I'm very entangled on which is better if only dig around the root for checking  Vine Weevils or transplanting the tree to a better environment at this stage. I do see one black vine weevils this afternoon. 

    Should I cover it with a plastic bag to keep moisture on leaves?

    Thank you for the suggestion on pruning. I just want to know how to do it. 😊

    Then it is definitely vine weevil which is attacking your plant.  You need to get it out of your pot and planted up into another with fresh compost, making sure there are no eggs or grubs on the roots. Hose the soil off what is left if necessary.  It is the C shaped grubs in the soil that do all the damage.  If you do nothing the plant will die.
    You can tip the infested soil out for the birds to feast on the grubs.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
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