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Giant sequoia is dying

6 years ago

Browning from the bottom spreading up. Already cut off the drying dead bottom branches. The tree is about 10-12 inches tall. Ive been watering more but still browning. Isn't spreading as fast now that im watering it more. Might try watering more frequently too. It's in a big pot too allow it to get big. Should I pot it it something more appropriate for its size?

Comments (22)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    10 to 12 inches? No answers; just questions. How old is it?

    HU-693704843 thanked nanelle_gw (usda 9/Sunset 14)
  • 6 years ago

    Got it from amazon. Said 2 to 3 years

  • 6 years ago

    The type of media in the pot is more important than anything. What kind of media are you using?

    HU-693704843 thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Media? I put potting soil in it if that's what you mean. I just got some 10-10-10 fertilizer in the mail right now I bought for the plant too. I read that's the appropriate ratio for giant sequoia.

  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago



  • 6 years ago

    This is it now. Im away at the moment. I'l get better pictures tomorrow. I really want this sequoia to live! The routine now is full sun until noon then I put it into partial shade. I water at 8am, 11am, then 3pm. I don't flood it.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Yes, media, is what you have in the pot for soil. Well draining media is what you want, generally a bark based mix. So when you water the pot, the water runs through the mix and comes out the bottom of the pot in a short period of time, through the pots drain holes, say a minute or two or even 5.

    Potting mix that is peat based, generally doesn't drain very well. It holds water for too long and doesn't let the roots breathe like they should and the plant will suffer.

    A 'container mix' is better. A cactus & succulent mix even better yet. Or if you check with the Container Forum search for 511 container mix you can DIY.

    Once the tree is accustomed to full sun, it should be able to take the full sun for 8-12 hrs anyways. But you'll want to protect the pot from getting hot with the sun beating on it for that long. Maybe cover it with some white material or keep the pot shaded somehow.

    You shouldn't have to water 3 times a day and if the media isn't draining well, that much water could do the tree in. It could get root rot.

    With the right media, you should be able to water once the media begins to dry on top. That could mean watering every 3-4 days during the hot weather but you'll have to check the pot for your conditions which could vary, until you know how fast it dries out.

    And remember trees are not house plants and should find a permanent home outside once they get to a size that they can survive.

    HU-693704843 thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Hot pot! That helps. It's in a black one and I do feel it get really hot. The water does drain through the holes normally, within 30 seconds it's already coming out the bottom. I read something about them getting some kind of fungus too. That's why I cut off the dead branches and yellow/ brown leaves.


    I used to have it in the sun all hours of the day and only watering every other day. It's only when I notice it not doing well did I change the routine. It slowed the spread so far but only slowed and not stopped. It's been seven days since I started doing the new routine.


    I'l come back with an update after another week. Thanks! Anymore tips would still help a lot!

  • 6 years ago

    Where in the world are you? Closest big city is enough info. From what I hear, Sequoia don't like the hot humid summers of the eastern parts of the US. Yes it's some type of fungus that affects them. When the tree is small, you can use a copper fungicide on them but you know what kind of tree those are, right? HUGE!


    Pot size is not going to be a problem for small seedlings but in one season, they can fill up a pot with roots. Once the roots hit the inside of the pot, they will start to follow the sides of the pot, called 'circling roots' which can cause problems if not tended to by up-potting to a larger pot.


    But from what I hear, those trees grow quickly, an inch or two of new girth/diameter each season. So having it in a pot is not an option after a season or two, the roots will overwhelm anything you put it in, unless you're thinking bonsai. There's a forum around here for that too. :-)

    HU-693704843 thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Depending on your climate, I'd be careful and not use too much fertilizer this time of year, especially the slow release kind. In my country it's getting a late for that and you don't want the tree to be actively growing on into the winter months. Most trees need to slow down and harden off so they have a dormant season, before the cold weather. Just an FYI.

    HU-693704843 thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    imo.. its EXTREMELY STRESSED .. it is NOT hungry ..


    do not fert it


    ken

    HU-693704843 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
  • 6 years ago

    It looks fine to me.

  • 6 years ago

    Yep, sounds like they've been in the pots a while now, so should be over any transplant shock or anything. The black pot in the sun isn't good but overall, the trees look pretty healthy!

    If they are Sequoia giganteum, they've only just begun life and don't look to be 2-3 years old to me.

    We'll be looking forward to how these do in the future. :-)

    HU-693704843 thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Im in Los Angeles. Im gonna continue placing it in a bigger pot than it needs. I want to have it grow as fast as it can but don't want to go through the hassle of digging out of the ground because I want to bonsai it.

  • 6 years ago

    its stressed ... repotting it will only stress it more .. DO NOT REPOT.. until it stabilizes ...


    some professionals believe that pots can be too big ... that it actually stunts growth ... spending too much time trying to fill the pot with roots ...


    so they grow in a given pot.. until the roots hit the sides and start down .. and then repot ... to the next bigger size ...


    the whole point of the potting media.. is a water management system ... the media allowing the water to run thru the whole mass.. and then shed the excess ... when improperly potted.. water either runs to sides and down the pot side ..or it can only flow thru the middle .. and right out the bottom.. with no water hitting where the roots are spreading thru the pot ... and pot size can be part of that equation ...


    trees grow in mother earth ... and you are making it infinitely harder.. trying to grow what will be a massive tree.. in a pot .. i killed way too many trees in pots.. before i figured out how different they were from the usual annual/perennials that are grown in pots ...


    soooo.. you are starting with a very hard project ... so dont be surprised.. if it isnt easy ...


    ken

    HU-693704843 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
  • 6 years ago

    haha! I was only kidding about the bonsai HU-693704843. Gotta keep a sense of humor. :-)

    Otherwise, I think you're on the right track, that potting mix in the first picture looks to be a good bark based mix, so should drain well enough.


    Your location should be right on for a tree of that species although I understand their natural habitat is further back, up in the hill country? I could be wrong.


    In any case, you will learn something, success or failure, just enjoy the journey, that's the best part. :o)


    Keep in touch! :-)


    HU-693704843 thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    They grow where it snows heavily in winter...

  • 6 years ago

    I up-potted a few Sequoias in the 5-1-1 mix earlier this year and they are thriving and have actually put on more growth that the one I planted in the ground which is doing fine as well. They were maybe double the size when up-potted of the one you have. I believe I water the containers once every three days here in warm July weather.

    Next spring they will go in the ground but I realize it may be a foolish gamble in my environment.

  • 4 years ago

    This is my Giant Sequoia at 14 months.

    it was doing great until I took it outside about 2 weeks ago. There was a chance of frost lastnight so I brought it back into my basement.… it now has alot of browning on the tips and a few of the small branches even appear black.


  • 4 years ago



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