Is my new Carambola tree Dying? (it's dropping it's leaves) :-(

16 years ago

Hello everyone!

I've recently (yesterday) received an new 7-Gallon Carambola (Starfruit) tree from Jene's tropicals. Well anyway I took it out of it's box (it appears the top half and a couple of branches was pruned off already for shipping) I watered it with a 5-Gallon container filled with about two gallons of water and a cap-full of superthrive (NOT fertilizer)I also took some of that water and applied it to it's leaves. and put it in full sun. Well every since yesterday afternoon more and more of it's leaves are turning yellow and falling off and I'm getting extremely worried about it. Is my plant dying? Did I give it too much water? Was it the superthrive? Also... I was planning to plant it in a 17 gallon containter late next week should I wait longer than that (assuming it makes it?)

- Johnathan

Featured Answer

red_sea_me

16 years ago

hello Johnathan,
just some things I've noticed, many times plants that I've ordered get leaves that yellow and fall off. This is probably shock, caused by transport, barerooting (?), lack of light, aclimatization from one environment to the other. For me when the plants first arrive, I plant them in a pot just bigger than the rootball. I water them with superthrive style stuff and most importantly plance them in a sheltered location. Filtered light until growth restarts then slowly acclimatize it to its spot.

good luck,
-Ethan

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

johnathanjones
Original Author
16 years ago
Also i'd like to prune it just a little bit more it looks a little lopsided is that okay?

- Johnathan
Related Discussions
my new rose dropped all its leaves. is it dead?
Q
Comments (3)
Your plant may simply be reacting to the stress of the hot weather. Probably, giving it fertilizer didn't help. It is possible to kill a stressed, or newly-planted rose by giving it fertilizer. (I know this, because I have done it.) However, losing leaves isn't all that bad. If the canes are all still green, the rose may still make it. Since your plant is in a pot, first make very sure that your pot can drain freely. If it's in one of those saucer things, lose the saucer immediately. If it's sitting flat on the ground, put three bricks under it, to raise it up a few inches, so that it can drain. They do sell "pot feet" for this purpose, but bricks work just fine. If the canes turn dark brown or black, you've probably lost it. But don't feel badly, as it was probably doomed before you bought it. Jeri
...See More
Lemon tree dropping leaves and branches dying
Q
Comments (4)
Catherine, Can you post a picture of your tree showing the dying area contrasted against those parts still alive? Also, we'll need to see a close up photo of the trunk/root area to see whether there might be rot that's causing your tree to decline. To post photos, place your pix in Photobucket and hover over each until you see the HTML link. Copy each HTML link onto the body of your message and you'll see the photo when you 'Preview Message' just as we will. A few quesitons for you: 1) How much water did you apply? (You may need additional periodic and SLOW, SOAKING water applications.) 2) Have you ever fertilized the tree? Using a specific Citrus & Avocado granular fertilizer, hopefully? 3) Do you see any girdling of the tree - have animals chewed around, especially at the bottom near the trunk/root interface? 4) I'm assuming you're on hard clay soil (like me/near Glen Park) - is your tree planted on a slope that drains well? 5) What part of the City do you live? Are you more warm like near SOMA and Potrero, or cold/foggy/windy as in the Sunset? I wouldn't say it's been particularly warm in SF, but it's dryer than prior years, so dehydration is a possibility. However, there could be other things going on, so the photos and your answers to the questions above would definitely help. Tim
...See More
My Orange tree lost all of its leaves - can it still be saved?
Q
Comments (7)
Wendy, I'd guess that watering your in-ground tree three times a week could be the cause of the leaf drop. You don't say what part of S. Calif. you live in, but even if it was still 100F(in the shade)in November, and you had planted it on top of a six foot high sand pile... only then might watering that often be normal. Myself, I'm still trying to figure out in-ground citrus tree watering...the advice I've seen ranges from water once a week (except when it rains) to "citrus tree roots like to dry out in between watering". The weather and the type of soil make a big difference in water need. So does the fact that a tree with lots of leaves uses a lot more water than a tree with no leaves. I'd guess that continuing to water three times a week will continue the process of killing the tree. You need to have a way to check the soil for it's moisture content. You can buy inexpensive moisture meters for $10-15. And I've been trying out sticking wooden bamboo skewers into the ground(2-4 inches...the skewers are about 12" long and very cheap at 99cent stores, or supermarkets). Leave one in a few days then pull out and check. You can see how wet the tip is. Check it in a few more days, or a week...and watch how the tip dries as the soil dries. That might keep you from watering too much, if that's what the problem is. And about leaves growing back, remember that citrus trees have growth flushes 3-4 times a year. You might not see anything happening until the next flush. But as long as there's green under the bark, there's hope.
...See More
What's happening with my tree, all new leaves and shoots are dying out
Q
Comments (6)
Thanks guys! Replying to both comments: 1) Yes they look better on camera than in real life. I did not test soil, it's a part of routine fertilizing I do every year, didn't have problems before, applied according instruction 1 cup per 10x10 ft. There were high winds along with storms, very high winds I'd say, like 50+ mph. 2) I use castile soap diluted in water 5 tbsp per 1 gal. Thanks!
...See More
johnathanjones
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you Ethan!

I do have a pecan tree I can put it under that gets partial sun during the day is that ok? And does anyone else have experience growing star fruit in containers? I tried a couple years ago and I lost the plants during a windy cold weekend and a freeze. (I was out of town when this occurred so I was unable do move them indoors). Do they fruit well in containers ? I have a 17 gallon/20 inch pot I was going to grow it in.
ohiojay
16 years ago
Ethan is right. Get the tree out of full sun. It's been in a box for without any light at all for 2-3 days. I wouldn't put it in such a large container just yet. I'd wait until the tree stabilized and then go up to about a 10 gal. Also, as soon as it starts to get any low temps in your area, it's time to bring it in until next season. Good luck.
johnathanjones
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Guys since yesterday afternoon is has stabilized a little (it's only dropping leaves here & there) and it's in the shade under my pecan tree. :-). Should I wait until new growth occurs before I take it out of the shade and repot it?
red_sea_me
16 years ago
hello Johnathan J,
for me (hot and dry here), I would leave it shaded for at least a week or until you see new growth, then slowly aclimate it to its spot.

My carambola is just a seedling but here are my thoughts on repotting: give it a week or two (or three) when you see active growth, move it to a larger pot. I would not reccomend moving it to a huge pot just yet. This is my experience, one plant I moved to a huge pot after purchase (last fall) I had difficulties planting in the ground this spring. The extra soil broke away from the rootball, taking all the new delicate roots with it. My other experience is overpotting and rot. This last winter another newly purchased plant was placed in a huge pot (it was going to stay potted). As winter progressed and cool spring arrived, I started watering more. The soil at the top of the pot would dry before the soil at the bottom. Before too long the soil smelled foul and the roots rotted. This is not the case with all plants, my guavas and solanums have such dense root systems, they jumped a pot size.

good luck,
-Ethan
johnathanjones
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you for all of your guys help! :-).
johnathanjones
Original Author
16 years ago
Guys I have good news my tree has since been in full sun and new growth is occurring! Thanks again!
SeminoleZephyr
10 years ago
I just bought one of these trees today. It is a good size--around 6' and loaded with tiny flowers. As it is mid October, I am wondering..I had planned to plant it in the ground in about two weeks after allowing it to acclimate etc...I was wondering with it being fall already if I should wait until this spring to put it in the ground--will it make it in the pot until then or, as suggested above in one slightly larger than it is currently in (5 gallon plastic pot). Thanks!
Lisa

Is my new Carambola tree Dying? (it's dropping it's leaves) :-(

red_sea_me

Comments (9)

johnathanjones
Original Author

Related Discussions

johnathanjones
Original Author

ohiojay

johnathanjones
Original Author

red_sea_me

johnathanjones
Original Author

johnathanjones
Original Author

SeminoleZephyr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Is my new Carambola tree Dying? (it's dropping it's leaves) :-(

red_sea_me

Comments (9)

johnathanjonesOriginal Author

Related Discussions

johnathanjonesOriginal Author

ohiojay

johnathanjonesOriginal Author

red_sea_me

johnathanjonesOriginal Author

johnathanjonesOriginal Author

SeminoleZephyr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

johnathanjones
Original Author

johnathanjones
Original Author

johnathanjones
Original Author

johnathanjones
Original Author

johnathanjones
Original Author