This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Fir problems
Alan273
Posts: 3
Hi guys,
Wondering if anyone will be able to help and give advice.
I'm trying to grow a fir tree from a sprout I was given. I live in an apparent and don't have a garden so it's been growing in a pot.
It had been growing ok and two small buds even appearwd on it. But then they tirned brown and leaves started going the same way. In the past day or two the remaining green leaves have started drooping.
if I'd to guess, I'd probably say it's dead but hopefully its not and there's a way to bring it back to full health.
I've attached a photo.
Many help would be greatly appreciated.
0
Posts
Alan, I'm not the last word on this but I think it's had it. I think you have rot where the stem meets the soil.
I always put cuttings to the very edge of the plant pot. It helps keep them slightly drier and stops the rot.
It could also be too dry above the soil? Some cuttings need to be kept in a moist environment so a plastic bag over the pot with an elastic band is used - I don't know if this is true of this fir?
Another point is when the two buds appeared, I'd have probably broken them off because they would drain energy from root production which is what you are trying to do when kicking off cuttings.
Also, I pull off most of the leaves so that the cutting has enough to transform sunlight into energy but not enough that it transpires all the moisture it's given.
If you have any questions about what I've said here, please ask, I realise it's a lot of info.
Pretty certain that plants from the Pine family, which includes firs, are extremely hard to grow from cuttings specialist equipment is needed [ think it may because of the resin in them ]. Cypress family can be rooted more easily.
Hi Cloggie.
Many thanks on your reply. Its greatly appreciated. I had noticed the bottom of the stem does seem abit grey and had thought it was root rot I'm a novice to grown anything and couldn't find much online for growing fir trees in pots.
Just so I've got it right for next time:
1. Keep cutting at side of pot to keep them drier,
2. Put a bag over pot to keep the ir abit more moist,
3. Remove buds and some leaves at start to encourage root growth
If I was to remove the brown leaves and the buds would there be a chance of it recovering or is it past the stage of recovery?
Thanks Invicta2.
It was a shoot that started growing beside a fir tree in my dads garden. There were afew shoots so my brother and sister also got one and we're seeing who can grow the best by next christmas.
My brothers seems to be going well but haven't seen my sisters. Unfortunately it doesn't seem like mine will even see the summer.
Point 1: Yes, put cuttings to the side of pots - I always do this.
2: Depends on the plant, you need to research this depending on what you're trying to propagate. RHS usually have good advice.
3: Whenever I take a cutting I cut below a leaf node at the bottom and then remove any leaves that will be below soil level when I put it in to the side of the pot.
There are many tutorials on this and anything with Carol Kline in it is reliable but there are also many methods depending on what you are trying to propagate. As Invicta2 says, plants from the pine family may need special treatment so you'd have to research this.
Here is Carol doing basal cuttings but basal cuttings might not be the best method for the plant you're trying to propagate.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-basal-cuttings/
Hope this is helpful.