skip to main content

Florida Gardening

urgent help needed! can my slash pines be saved?

13 years ago

I cannot believe how emotionally attached I am to these slash pines! PLEASE tell me it is not too late for them.

We purchased them for $10 each (thank goodness they weren't expensive, but that's not even the point) almost 1 year ago. They were about 8 ft tall, now they are about 12 ft. We have about 10 of them and we created a "hammock" in our yard

My DH pointed out to me that they are now "dead." I am hoping he is wrong, they are just "dying." I water these darn things almost daily. I take pictures of them, I just love them!

We found a bunch of caterpillars on them. Like, a greenish yellow color w/black heads. If we get rid of them, will the pines come back? What do I do to get rid of them?

Some of the pines have yellow needles now, but many are still very green. I am really hoping I will get some good news from someone. I am going to google now, but wanted to get this posted here and hopefully get some feedback. Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

jayinflorida
13 years ago
This is the time of the year for Pines to "shed" their old needles... mine are doing this too. If most are still green (the newer ones) you should be just fine. Those Caterpillars are fairly common (probably a Pine Sphinx), I've had a few. Post some pics if you can and I can tell more about them. Also, it's ok to water a Slash Pine, just don't over do it, no need to water them daily or may may cause a problem!

Here is a link that might be useful: Pine Sphinx
loufloralcityz9
13 years ago
The pine trees shed their old needles when the length of day shortens in Oct-Nov. Shedding needles is not tied to temperature changes, but respond to the shortening daylight hours. This is totally normal. All my pines have old brown needles and they are getting ready to shed them.

Lou
Related Discussions
My Pine Bonsai Is Dying Can I Save It?
Q
Comments (4)
If a tree's been living indoors until now, probably the coldest week of the year or so, now would not be the time to put it outdoors. You'll have to keep it inside somehow until it's warmer out (consistently above freezing overnight) and hope for the best. Zachman - A "similar" tree could be anything, and may need different care. Can you post a picture?
...See More
Need help for my potted gerbera urgently!!
Q
Comments (5)
Hi AI/Tapla, Thank you so much for your advice/help! My name is pronounced similar like that too, but the tone could be different as Chinese Pinyin has 4 tones for each word spelled in English letters, but that doesn't mean we have the same name, for same Pinyin and same tone can still come out with different character in Chinese writing. The character for my name is Ã§ÂÂ. Sorry, that's a bit too much beyond plants here. Updates for my gerbera, I pulled the whole stack out of the pot as you said and removed half of the soil in the bottom then put it on some dry news paper for almost whole day today and the removed soil out under the sun for drying too. Then I put everything back to the pot and let it sit close to a window with morning sun through the veil curtain. I can see there are a few tiny green looks like new leaves coming out from the stem, so I really hope this is good sign that it's getting back to live. And of course, thanks a lot of your advice and patience to explain me everything. I really appreciate that. Wish you a great labor day weekend+holiday! Thanks! Xuan
...See More
My Jades need URGENT help!
Q
Comments (5)
I have to respectfully disagree. If they were in a standard peat based mix, then yes they may be overpotted. But if the mix is as porous as it appears, then larger pots are a good idea. With a sufficiently porous mix, you could grow cuttings in 5 gallon buckets if you wanted. I use a very porous mix and large pots for all my plants and the root growth is excellent. One problem I have found though, is that they dry out very quickly in hot, sunny weather. And this is where I'm guessing your problem occurred. Even though succulents are quite tolerant of arid conditions, young plants lack the extensive root system and water reserve of mature plants. They can definitely wilt if the soil completely dries out, and this is much easier to do in a gritty soil. I would keep them out of direct sun until they firm up again, and then be careful to keep them well watered when hot and sunny. If the soil mix contains many fines that are not visible from above, then I retract my diagnosis and defer to paracelsus. I'm guessing though, that the lava rock, perlite, and bark you're using is very porous.
...See More
Urgent: How can I save my Koi?
Q
Comments (1)
Hi, I'm assuming you wish to save the fish when dredging the pond. First you will need a large container. I use a 50 gallon oval garden pond mold that you would use for a garden pond. Depending on the size of the pond and fish, you could just use a large tote. Just make sure it is rinsed out and has never had anything in it that may kill or hurt the fish. Put this somewhere flat and fill it with water from the pond. You will need a large air stone and an air pump. If you really want to be nice. Get some Aquarium salt and throw a hand full in. This will make the fishes temporary home like a Jacuzzi. Do not feed the fish while in this home. Put a netting over the top, but don't enclose it. Fish may attempt to jump. Removing the fish from the pond. You will need two nets, or a fine net and something to direct them with. Lower the pond to 6-10 inches, they will be hard to see. Don't be surprised if there are more fish in there than you imagined. Use something that wont injure the fish to direct them into the net. As your draining water, listen for splashing, you will miss a few. Don't leave the fish in their temporary home for more than a few days. Accumulate the fish back to the pond. Remember, if you have allot of fish, don't put them all back in, pick your favorites and donate or trade the rest. You don't want to overload the pond. Hope this help, Craig
...See More
dirtymartini
Original Author
13 years ago
I will post pics in a second (darn camera battery died, it is charging) but I am pretty sure it is NOT the pine sphinx. After doing some googling, I *think* they are the larvae of a sawfly??? They look like the pictures in the link below. Not the bright green drawings, but the actual photos.

I feel a little better now, because it makes me think it is not too late for these trees.

So you think watering daily is unnecessary? I actually enjoy doing it, LOL. Of course in the summer and spring when it is rainy, I don't bother. But in this dry weather, I thought it might help them grow. I know they are slow growers, I am anxious for some shade from them! :)

Thanks for your help!

Here is a link that might be useful: sawfly larvae
jayinflorida
13 years ago
If you have Sawfly larvae, I definitely would recommend controlling/killing them.

As to the daily watering... most people will tell you (experts, too) to not water them at all, unless you are in a drought or they are newly planted. Slash Pines can take a little more water than say a Long Leaf or a Short Leaf Pine. I've heard of them being killed by too much water. They like it a bit on the dry side. My Slash Pines are all between 1 1/2 and 2 yrs old and with this month being so dry, I've been giving them just a little water, once per week. They are out in full sun and so the soil seemed pretty dry after a couple or 3 weeks of no rain, so I just started watering them once per week after going 3 weeks with no rain or water.

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: Passive House in Vermont Slashes Heating Bills

By Becky Harris

Its ecofriendly, low-maintenance design leaves a family with more time to relax and enjoy the weekend home

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY 7 Ways to Help Someone Hit by a Hurricane

By Alison Hodgson

The best things you can do in the wake of devastation are sometimes the most surprising

WORKING WITH PROS Working With Pros: When You Just Need a Little Design Guidance

By Judith Taylor Designs

Save money with a design consultation for the big picture or specific details

DIY PROJECTS Make Your Own Barn-Style Door — in Any Size You Need

By No. 29 Design

Low ceilings or odd-size doorways are no problem when you fashion a barn door from exterior siding and a closet track

Design Dilemma: Keep or Nix Knotty Pine?

By Annie Thornton

Help a Houzz User Choose a Paint Color for a Cohesive Design

PETS 5 Finishes Pets and Kids Can’t Destroy — and 5 to Avoid

By Christine Tusher

Save your sanity and your decorating budget by choosing materials and surfaces that can stand up to abuse

DECORATING GUIDES What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick

By Vanessa Brunner

Sure, painted brick can be a great look. But you need to take some risks into account. Here's how to paint brick like a pro

ARCHITECTURE Want to Live by the Water? What You Need to Know

By Duo Dickinson, architect

Waterside homes can have amazing charm, but you'll have to weather design restrictions, codes and surveys

HOUZZ TOURS We Can Dream: An Expansive Tennessee Farmhouse on 750 Acres

By Mitchell Parker

Wood painstakingly reclaimed from old barns helps an 1800s farmhouse retain its history

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

Sponsored

Whispering Pine Construction

Franklin County's Top Choice for Reliable Outdoor Construction

More Discussions

Diagnosing problems with firespike in Sarasota

5

Rats in the garden ID?

6

Garden plans for 2024?

6

New Blooms Feb./Mar.

26

Leaving my final garden

3