Help save a young sick apple tree (forum)

Quag starts with ...
Hi there,

I bought 2 dwarf apple trees (pink lady an gala) about 3 months ago and one is looking very sick. Right now i forget which is which but if its important I will post an update!!

Attached are some photos. 3 of the sick tree (picture 3 4 and 5), and one of a branch of my other tree (picture 2), which i think is starting to catch the same ailment.

I have been trying for many weeks to work out what is wrong with it based of its symptoms.

Symptons: Leaves curling, turning brown around the ends and all over. No leaves have fallen off yet (that I have noticed), and its mostly restricted to one tree. These seem to be common to many tree diseases. My 2 thoughts at the moment is Scab and Overwatering? I went out and bought a water moister indicator and right now both trees are about 4/10, although I haven't watered them now since Saturday.

Further Information: I checked the dirt and didn't smell anything to funky, although a few mushrooms were growing a few days ago. A light straw mulch has been used for all plants. Both apple trees planted with osmocote premium potting mix with a bit of osmocote fertiliser at the bottom and top. Each black bucket has 5 holes around the sides at the bottom.

Picture 1 gives you an idea of their position on my balcony, and you can see my strawberries and dwarf orange tree to :).

I'm hopeful someone can give me clear directions on what I can do to help it, such as treatments, pruning affects areas(which is most leaves now) etc.

Thanks to anyone that takes the time to help. Very much appreciated.

Quag
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3
Picture: 4
Picture: 5

Time: 24th January 2011 10:12pm

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Quag says...
Update:

I had a very close look this morning, there seems to be a bit of white discoloring on some of the leaves if that helps diagnose it.

Time: 25th January 2011 8:40am

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Jantina says...
They do look somewhat unhappy Quag.It looks a bit like something to do with the growing conditions or the water rather than a specific pest or disease. I'm wondering if the roots are getting too hot in those black pots. Maybe try wrapping something white around the pots to keep them cooler, the soil in black plastic pots gets very hot in the sun. Also potting mix once dry is often quite water repellent, are you able to get something big enough to soak the whole pot in until the bubbles stop coming up? Let us know how you go.

Time: 25th January 2011 10:23am

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About the Author Jantina
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Quag says...
Hey Jantina,

I knew id regret buying the cheap 10 dollar pots!! :)

Should I repot them? I have been looking at the wooden half wine barrels at bunnings and like them a fair bit. Would I go up a size if I did? Use the same potting mix or different?

Or should I just try to keep the existing pots cool like you said.

When watering is it better to give them one big soak every few days or a little water every day? I will try and find something big enough to do what you said.



Time: 25th January 2011 10:31am

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Original Post was last edited: 25th January 2011 10:34am

About the Author Quag
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amanda says...
Hi Quag - one thorough soaking is better than lots of small amounts. When repotting it is best not to put any fertilisers in the pot. Premium potting mix already contains enough.

I just use seasol (at the recommended rate) on plants that I re-pot - until I start to see fresh new growth.

Little and more often is better than too much - your trees could have a little burning on the edges due to too much fertiliser. Slow release capsules tend to release too fast in the hot weather also.

If you plant them into wine barrels directly then you need to think about how you will get them out when you need to renovate the potting mix..? I agree with Jantina - black pots are a pain in the sun. You could always put them, pot and all, into a wine barrel - they would get shaded that way and then be easier to repot?



Time: 25th January 2011 12:59pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. Mid West WA
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Quag says...
Hi Amanda,

Is it wrong to think I could kind of dig it out/ shift it to a new pot by turning it on its side and "sliding" it out when the time came? I guess with the black bucket its easier as I can just cut it open.

I am leaning towards re potting it to get rid of some of the fertilizer and put it in a more sun friendly pot. Maybe I will have to just wait the fertilizer out until it all breaks down?

Thanks for your help.

Time: 25th January 2011 1:23pm

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amanda says...
Yes Quag - that's the way to do it - but you may not be able to do it that easily if it's in a wine barrel..(and not in another pot).....that's why I am wondering if a second pot inside is better.

Has anyone else tried repotting with wine barrels I wonder?



Time: 25th January 2011 10:34pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Quag says...
Hey Amanda,

I watered the plant until water ran out the bottom about 6 pm yesterday, and it was still sunny outside. I moved it out of the sun to a shady position. The moister meter said 10. About 10 am the next morning the meter was down to 3.

My current theory is I have been severely underwatering the poor tree. It probably needs more water then the other tree as its taller, and gets more sun, and hence probably drains the water in it pot faster. Since its soaking I think its picked up but that could be my mind playing tricks on me:p

I think I will leave it in the pot its in for now and keep giving it good waters and see if it improves. Do you think keeping it out of the sun for a little while is a good idea?

Time: 26th January 2011 12:09pm

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About the Author Quag1
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amanda says...
Hi Quag - depends how hot it is getting. It's always a challenge to keep trees in pots as they can use the water so fast in the hot weather.

Do make sure the actual pot is kept in the shade as Jantina said. If you are worried about the tree just keep it out of the hot afternoon sun?
You can gradually acclimatise them to all day sun once autumn comes around - ready for next summer - but you may always have problems with them being in pots.

If you use the "search forum" feature at top right of main page - you might find info there. Also try googling "growing fruit trees in pots" or such.

There will be heaps of good info from people who grow trees like this more than I do..

Time: 26th January 2011 1:11pm

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About the Author amanda19
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