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Callistemon dying?
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Posted by innyanga WA Aust (My Page) on Mon, Dec 13, 04 at 3:50
We have a Perth Pink callistemon which has been growing happily in the north-west corner of our garden for about 7 years. About a month ago, we noticed that it was looking quite dry (some of the old leaves had burnt edges), although the new growth looked fine.
A few days ago we noticed that it was suddenly looking VERY dry, and all of the new growth had dried up. Can anyone explain why this would suddenly happen? What do we do now? We haven't fertilised it nor any plant near it. The nearest plants either side are a Grevillea Hookeriana and a Westringea, both of which look fine. Any advice gratefully received! Thank you. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Callistemon dying?
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| Hi, Callistemon have a reputation for being 'short-lived', but I believe that we need to see that in the context of the growth cycle of many Australian plants: they come to life in the wet, grow vigorously to reach maturity quickly on the expectation of hard times ahead, and are often severely culled in fires. These same fires are the impetus for new growth, and the cycle begins anew. I'm no botanist, but that is my take on it. The accepted substitute for fire is hard-pruning : I'm not sure that bottlebrushes will accept the severe pruning (tropical) Grevilleas need to regenerate, but I have pruned mine by as much as 30% with no ill effects, and many of the Dawson River Weepers on the streets of Rocky were pruned to mere stumps last Winter : new, lush growth has erupted from these seemingly dormant stubs over the past few months. Even if the plant dies, the outcome will be no worse than it would appear to be facing at the moment. Good luck, Artie |
RE: Callistemon dying?
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| hi there your tree might have borers , pretty common when theplant is stressed , overly dry etc.. look for brown sawdust like mounds in the crevices joins of branches |
RE: Callistemon dying?
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Hi Innyanga
My perth pink bottlebrush has been so disappointing I feel like ripping it out. I have had it about 7 years or more. The flowers have always been very insipid and so I pruned it heavily, it bloomed but flowers weren't any better. It has dry pieces also that look quite dead. I am sure I could find something to put in it's place but hate getting rid of a tree.
Jancol |
RE: Callistemon dying?
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| I once has a Grevillea die and it was an ant's nest discovered too late. The Perth pink I paid a lot for just carked it in the garden. |
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