Young eucalyptus dying?

17 years ago

Hi,

I have a eucalyptus sapling that I started from seed almost a year ago. It has always thrived and grown at a healthy clip. Once we entered into the winter season, its growth was more gangly, slowed considerably and now it appears the tiny tree is drying out. I tried changing locations twice to no avail; the watering schedule was not altered. Is this a seasonal temporary reaction or is the plant in trouble?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

afrancisco
Original Author

17 years ago

Your cryptic reply (exactly how are these plants corrupting the environment?) not only doesn't fulfill the purpose for which this forum is intended, but comes off as condescending. Save your offensive remarks for Friday night at the bar.

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Comments (7)

gregaryb
17 years ago
I believe that some Australian Eucalypts have become naturalised and invasive in parts of the US and are causing significant environmental problems as a result.

The question you should be asking yourself is "Should I be growing Eucalypts at all?".
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redtitan
17 years ago
Hello,
Is the Eucalyptus plant outside or do you have it inside a heated area? If you have it outside, it could be the cold weather that is killing it. Ohio is a bit cold for most eucalyptus trees from what I can remember (although I think there are a few species that will grow in your USDA growing zones). If it's indoors, then I'm having the same problem with mine (gangly growth, and it's dying back, but I think the dying back might be due to a nutrient deficiency in my soil) I'm thinking that the gangly growth could be due to the higher indoor temperatures combined with low light levels of winter, although I could be wrong there.

Hope that helps and Good luck with your plant :)
-Adam

PS: I know that there's an invasive eucalyptus problem in California because of the similar Mediterranean-style climate to many parts of Australia. Considering the big difference in climate between Ohio and Australia, I wouldn't think there'd be any problem with eucalyptus becoming invasive there.
afrancisco
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Adam,

Thanks for your input. Mine is an indoor plant. I had, in fact, just given it some Miracle Gro, which it had tolerated well before and only gets every 2-3 months. Your theory is a good one and I'll check it out.

Good luck with your own plant!
gregaryb
17 years ago
"Your cryptic reply (exactly how are these plants corrupting the environment?) not only doesn't fulfill the purpose for which this forum is intended, but comes off as condescending. Save your offensive remarks for Friday night at the bar."

As individuals we learn nothing if we treat constructive criticism with hostility.

I suggest you google the term "environmental weed" and "noxious weed". You may be rather shocked at just how much damage these do to the environment if you take the trouble to learn a bit on the subject.
Liatris
17 years ago
afrancisco, what zone is Ohio? I suspect that Adam is right, and that the cold is the reason for your tree's decline.

I'd really lay off on the miraclegrow, particularly during the cooler months. Nany Australian soils are impoverished, and while the Miracle grow may not have harme your plant, it would be encouraging a lot of soft growth.
peplill
17 years ago
Hi,
Hope your not getting hit by the ice storms and heavy show falls in Ohio.
I agree, it is the cold, even indoors it might be a bit too cold. Check for drafts and keep it in a heated part of the house. Also it would need full sun. What type of euc is it? Some are more tolerant of cold than others.

Greg..pull your head in!
I remember posting on this list and getting jumped for planting Cootamundra Wattles. A noxious invasive plant I was lectured, did I know what harm I was doing...on and on and on it went. Maybe that was you then too?
No one bothered to ask if I lived in their native range, nor did they consider that the endangered Superb Parrots needs these wattles to eat and there aren't that many around anymore and we are encouraged to plant them.
Consider asking a few questions before you go off, might make what you say a bit more usefull, meaningful and creditable.