Podocarpus nivalis Issue

This is my first post. Sorry it had to be with a problem.

I've raised this plant from a 4" seedling to about 14" high and it's starting to
develop side branching which is exciting as I want to grow it in the Formal
Upright style.
The problem is that the new growth/leaves have started to curl as they come
in and I can't figure out why. It's given regular feeding with each watering at
1/4 strength and also all the micros as a supplement. Also extra Mg as it is
stated everywhere that I read that Mg is much appreciated by Podocarpus
nivalis.
The lighting is adequate.....close to 1000 candle feet, compact and regular
fluorescent.
The soil is well drained and I'm not over watering it. Just wondering if under
watering might be the problem or if someone with more experience with this
plant might lend some insight as to what's going on with it.
It started off very slowly and has taken off nicely. The new growth came in
straight as the leaves are on the rest of the plant. Only recently have they
begun to curl.
Thoughts?

Overall:


CloseUp:


Regards,
Len

Have you recently moved indoors?

You are growing a podocarpus indoors? I would say that is your problem.

No, indoors is not the problem. I became interested in this plant because it was recommended as a
good candidate for indoor culture.
I've had it quite a while and it grew fine under fluorescent lighting. It's only in the last week that
it's new growth that came in straight has started to curl.

Regards,
Len

gman wrote:Have you recently moved indoors?

No, it's been growing inside since I got it.

djlen wrote:I became interested in this plant because it was recommended as a good candidate for indoor culture.
I've had it quite a while and it grew fine under fluorescent lighting. It's only in the last week that its new growth that came in straight has started to curl.
Regards,
Len

What kind of a setting is your fluorescent setup in? Do you have a humidity gauge? How long have you had the plant? Did you have it last winter? This last week has coincided with the onset of cold weather. I suspect the curly leaves are due to low humidity. Here in the Northeast, especially if you are not right on the coast, when the outdoor air enters our houses & is heated, the humidity drops to levels drier than the Sahara. A few years ago, I mentioned to Jim Lewis that here in Central New York, the outdoor humidity on a sunny day in February may go down to 21%, so you can imagine what happens indoors. Jim was almost as shocked as the orchid grower on Long Island when I told him that in Syracuse, during December and January, houseplants on windowsills grow inward, because there is more light in the house than outdoors.
You may find that if you want to grow tropicals under lights, you will have to provide some sort of enclosure and a humidifier.
Iris

It is growing under two lights, both fluorescent. One is a 48" shop light. The other is a compact fluorescent, screw in type that shines directly on the plant from less than 6". It gets good light. The humidity is probably
lower than before the cooler weather hit but here in NJ it's not been that cold and today we got close to 3" of rain.
Again, this has happened over the period of a week or so....just on the new growth. I mist the tree 3 - 4 times a day and I'm guessing that the humidity is in the 50 - 55% area. It's moist in there compared to the rest of the house.
It's been in the same position on the stand, with the same light, in relatively the same conditions for 5 or 6 months. Started very slowly when I got it, then took off throwing all the new side growth....then this.
I fertilize with each watering but in very low doses. This works well for me with all my plants and trees.

I gleaned a few facts, as you can if you Google.
Here's one.
Podocarpus is the scientific genus name of a tree that typically occurs in very humid montane forests, commonly known as “romerillo. ...
www.parkswatch.org/spec_reports/podocarpus_eng.pdf

If I got the facts straight, your species comes from the mountains of New Zealand. You may also be keeping it too warm. Get a humidity gauge. "Misting" the tree several times a day will not be the same as providing consistent humidity. It may promote rot. Also check for spider mites.
So-called indoor bonsai are happier if kept outdoors during the summer. Consider that for next year.

<<This works well for me with all my plants and trees.>>

According to the principles of Horticultural Darwinism, maybe this plant just isn't for you.
Iris

Thank you Iris. You know I've been growing plants, trees, and aquatic plants for over 40 years and
one of the basic tenets I go by is that certain plants are just not for me. I've flat given up on
some plants over the years for just that reason. What's easy for some is not necessarily going
to do OK for me.
I felt that a possibility might be some sort of mite or Aphid and so last night I sprayed for them and this
morning the new growth does seem to be a bit straighter. I'm also going to start using humidity trays
in my plant room to raise that a bit. I will be reporting back on further results.
Thank you so much for your input and your attention. It is appreciated.

djlen wrote:
I felt that a possibility might be some sort of mite or Aphid and so last night I sprayed for them

You will give Jim Lewis and Nina the cold colliwobbles.
Do not spray insecticide or miticide unless you examine the plant and see actual evidence of a specific pest, or you know you have had it & it is expected again imminently. Otherwise it is like giving an antibiotic without identifying the germ. Leads to resistant pests.
Iris

A-men

Colliwobble Jim

[quote="bonsaisr"]

djlen wrote:
Do not spray insecticide or miticide unless you examine the plant and see actual evidence of a specific pest, or you know you have had it & it is expected again imminently. Otherwise it is like giving an antibiotic without identifying the germ. Leads to resistant pests.
Iris

Thanks for the tip!!! Colliwobbles???!!! Must be a mid-western term.

I was up Mt Ruapehu (NZ) in November, and it was still cold!! and this was late spring here. - I noticed the Snow Totara (P.nivalis) on a short walk we did near The Chateau, the area it was growing was quite damp (under all the humus mulch). These, being alpine/subalpine shrubs, tend to grow in a low sprawling manner.
I was thinking of getting one to bonsai - from a garden centre, not from the National Park!!

I couldn't actually see your pictures. I can only access a computer at work, and I presume Photobucket has been added to the list of 'no-go' zones.

Good luck

djlen wrote:
Thanks for the tip!!! Colliwobbles???!!! Must be a mid-western term.

Actually, it was coined by Pogo Possum 60 years ago. Glad you got the message. There was an article in the newspaper about the horrors of drug resistant TB and other diseases, caused by uninformed use of antibiotics. I trust your Podocarpus has recovered, or you gave it to someone with an alpine house.
Iris

It was just a case of dehydration Iris. It has completely recovered and is looking great now.
I read somewhere that if it's over watered the leaves will get a gray cast to them and interpreted
that to mean to go light on the water. But now I've got a better handle on the needs of
the plant.