If you don't (or can't) flush the soil regularly when you water, the build-up of solubles (salts) in the soil is assured. As the level of salt in the soil increases, it becomes increasingly difficult for the plant to take up water and nutrients. High salt levels are also toxic to roots. In addition, the reduced rootage, and transpiring surface area above ground means less water usage and increased danger of over-watering. The easiest fix for problems like this it to prevent it from occurring in the first place by using a soil that will allow you to water correctly, virtually making over-watering and solubles build-up both non-issues. I think if you make that your goal, you can make some pretty big strides forward in your ability to keep your plants happy. For now, Here is what I would suggest you do: Move the tree to where you can flush the pot thoroughly - in the tub or shower is great. Saturate the soil with room temperature water and wait 10 minutes. Then, flush the soil with a volume of water at least equal to the volume of the container it's in .... 5-10 times - the more the better. This helps remove accumulating solubles (salt build-up) from the soil. After it stops draining, remove the tree from the pot & set it on newspaper over night. The paper will 'pull' excess water from the soil. Return it to the same pot next day. Wait to water until a wood dowel stuck deep into the soil comes out clean & dry. When it needs it's first watering after the flush, fertilize with a 1/2 recommended strength of MG 24-8-16 or 12-4-8, or Foliage-Pro 9-3-6 (my favorite). I suggest you add a wick to the pot for now. The wick will help excess water drain & allow you to water properly. You'll need to arrange for the pot to be ABOVE a collection saucer when you water, with the wick dangling below the bot 2-3", but NOT touching the effluent that collects in the saucer. When you water - use enough water so at least 10-15% of the total volume of water you apply exits the drain or drips off the wick. This keeps solubles from accumulating in the soil. You can learn more about why how water behaves in container soils here. If you absorb the information in this thread, it will stay with you and help you with your container gardening from now on. Any questions you have before you flush the soil and fertilize are welcome. Do you understand how the wick will help you? If you're still interested - I'll help you get set up so you can water properly until you can repot. Repotting is different from potting up, in that repotting includes bare-rooting, a soil change, and root pruning. Take care. Al

Bejay - I don't know the name of it but it came from my father's plant in Illinois which came orginally from Mass. in the 1950's. It was the old fashion kind with the green not red stalks. I haven't seen any like it. Makes me sad that something might have killed it. George - I did everything like I have always done for 30 years then it just suddenly died. I am afraid to dig it up in case it might come back, but I know that will confirm whether it was rot or not. Thanks. Clare

Everything around the dogwood looks fine. Some daylillies are blooming, a cotoneaster looks fantastic. I was wondering about herbicide, but I am the only one who has access to chemicals and my backyard, and I am very careful. I will dig it up this e weekend and see what the rootball looks like. I doubt anthracnose, just because of how quickly the plant died.

bought my Vanderwolf pine in the fall of 07... planted in a pretty much sunny area with hostas around it... gave it "plenty" of water.... in spring 08 the tips of the needles were already turning brown... talked with the nursery about it and they said it "might" be wind damage... by August it was 50% brown....took a picture of it and went back to the nursery....they gave me full credit for it... haven't gotten it dug out yet....but it is "Totally" brown now... a real Charlie "BROWN" Christmas tree....haha... good luck with yours... jill p.s....the nursery then told me they are pretty finicky...you can "Overwater" or "Underwater"....soooo...back to the drawing board for me...