I have one which has experienced exactly the same problem, so anyone with an answer, would love to hear it.
I actually suspect the plant's dying, but can't be sure.

Roy

I've always understood it to be the humidity that has killed all geraldton wax plants I've tried to grow. They flower beautifully for several months, and then, once the humid weather arrives, they die. Last year I bought a grafted plant which did at least last until February, but since it stopped flowering in November, I couldn't see the point in paying the extra for what is a rather ordinary plant when not in flower.
Sorry, I know this isn't much help, but maybe GW is one of those WA plants that we in the East should think of as beautiful, but very very short lived. At least until the grafted variaties improve.

I've never had any problems with humidity in Melbourne. They get upset about the drainage more I think. Red leaves means that the leaves are going to drop. I've often had them come back from this - perhaps just prune it back hard and see what happens. I've dug them up, pruned them back to a twig and repotted them and they've bounced back into much healthier bushes (gets rid of a lot of the parasites for a start).

Hi All,
as they normally grow in poor pure sandy very well drained soil/dirt in windswept WA without any still, high humidity air around them. You could try making a high mound of very sandy poor loam, if available in your area and on the side of a windswept open area. They are one of the harder WA plants to grow in unsuitable areas of Australia. There is a plantation in South Qld, they are grown on a small mound with deep drainage on both side of each row to take away any rain water, they are very carefully tended each and every day, they have performed quite well the last 10 dry years, the recent storms and hot weather, they do not like. Good luck. Peter r

Here is a link that might be useful: G Wax

Hello,

This is more in answer to Wattleblossom that pos02.

From my limited experience, I think good drainage is the key, but humidity is also a factor. I personally would not try growing them in Brisbane, although grafted ones might work there. They grow well on the Range around Toowoomba in well drained basalt soil. We get good breezes generally so that would help too.

A friend had a hedge of species plants 3 or 4 metres high, growing on a steep exposed well drained site right on the escarpment edge. Last time I was there, he said he was bored with them and was going to remove them. They were quite old and were not flowering much anymore apparently.

I don't understand why they don't survive in the Blue Mountains. All three of mine are not grafted, but the oldest two, which are cultivars (Purple Pride and a white type) are three or four years old now, and flower consistently each year. The youngest is a species plant and has now finished flowering. It would only be one year old.

I did have one growing about 9 years ago at another place (also Toowoomba area, but to the west in heavier soil. It was the "University" cultivar. It flowered beautifully in its second year and then died, probably of root rot. It had deep purple flowers. I would love to get another one, I really liked the flowers, but haven't seen them around since.

The only other different treatment that my current ones have received is that I have used "Agri-Fos" on them maybe once a year. It is based on salts of phosphonic acid, derived from phosphorus. This apparently gives plants resistance to the root rot fungus. (I have also used it on Hakea victoriaea, the Royal Hakea. It is OK for proteaceae species. My Royal Hakea is currently thriving at above 3m high.)

Cheers,
Frank

Thanks Frank for trying to help in my quest to keep a Geraldton Wax plant alive for more than a few months.
Although the soil here on the sandstone ridges is well drained, I've never actually taken the risk and planted a GW in the garden. I've always grown them in large pots, which I've understood would elevate them, at least a little, from the worst of the humidity as well as ensuring perfect drainage. Trouble is, in hot weather, and at the first sign of rain here, a heavy mist will often roll in and sometimes hang around for days. This keeps the foliage of all plants wet for an extended period, and, I suppose this is what really causes the trouble. I guess it's just one more lesson in why we should stick to growing indigenous plants. But you know how it is, WA plants are just too lovely.
Thanks again, WB.

I have taken some cuttings of another which died previously. They have been very slow growing, but they are growing! I think I will try these in pots, and if that doesn't work, I will have to give up and plant Leptospermums and thriptomenes. I know they grow well at my place. The Geraldton Wax mentioned above is actually worse now, with the flowers shrivelling up - such a pity.

Wattleblossum, we get a lot of fog in the cooler months. A combination of fog and rain is not unusual here either. We have lichen growing on trees and even on traffic light poles in some places, so that gives you some idea!

I don't think it's a foliage issue. The problem for me is the fungus in the ground. I wonder if the reason you have trouble is that the pots get too hot for the plant's roots, or possibly the potting mix dries out too much?

If I were you, I'd try to plant one in the garden, and use the "Agri-Fos" (there is an equivalent too but I can't remember the manufacturer's name). You can apply it to the foliage or into the ground. For larger trees, another option is to inject it into the trunk.

Cheers,
Frank

i have two in pots and they were fine even with 90% humidity and 500+ mm of monthly rain for three months, now it's starting into fall and suddenly they are dropping leaves.

nights got down to 10 and days were barely above 20 for a few days and humidity dropped to about 60%, this is when they suddenly started to drop leaves, is this because of the sudden temperature and climate change? this drastic change in weather and climate is normal for this time of year here, but this is my first year growing these aussie natives as they're new here. i am hoping they don't die, they were cheapish in price, but i am tired of plants not liking this climate, yes, i grow natives, but they're also difficult in pots, once this rain stops i plan on pruning them back and hopefully they survive overwintering inside.

My geralton wax has just started to have the same thing happen to its foliage, turning red/brown/yellow here in victorian summer. I think it's because it is planted close by to where a lot of pumpkins and water have started to grow and iI have been giving that area a lot of water, and it's hating having wet feet!