3 years ago I planted a silk floss tree in my garden. It has grown very large in that time (about 8 meters tall and around 70cm around the trunk), but has never flowered and is only now losing its leaves for the first time in 3 winters. In addition, for at least the past year, all of its leaf tips have been brown. There is no obvious sign of disease.

I am wondering if the tree has simply been under-watered. I paid no attention to irrigation then and am only now somewhat the wiser about irrigating new trees. In retrospect, this tree really only received rainwater - and we have none of that from April to November!

My question now is, how much water should I be giving this tree from now on? I feel it is finally getting settled in and I would like to give it a boost. Should I set up a loop around it and water like a new tree? ie about 10 liters a day, given its size. Should I give it a potash feriliser?

Please advise!

Thanks

Joanna