[color=red]Bald Cypress Virus or What???[/color]

This Summer, my Bald Cypress trees seemed to have developed some kind of virus or disease. The plants turn rust red beginning in the lower center of the plant, spreading upward and outward. Then the needles die followed by branch die back. This die back almost seems like a change to Fall dormancy, except that it's not Fall! I have treated the plant with various fungicides, including Deconyl (sp?).

Any ideas what this might be? Should I worry about this condition this late in the season? Any other treatment suggestions? What to do? Help please.

Bob King

Here are some images of the red Bald Cypress condition, diseased or virus that I mentioned in my previous post.

Bob K


[img][/img]

We've been having a very similar problem here, if not the same thing... Matter of fact, we were just discussing what it could be at our first Bald Cypress study group meeting. We think that it is some sort of mite, or a combination of hard water, high winds, and high temperatures. How have the conditions been there?

Hi Bob, I can't say about fungus or virus, but I doubt that's the problem anyway. Consider the natural environment of this tree and I'd say you have taken it as far from as possible. Even on a good day, the pot is way to small for a growing tree and your medium is wrong for this tree. This tree can be seen standing up to it's butt (literally) in primordial organic stew. They live in water! There's no way in that pot with that medium that you can keep enough water on it when those hot Chi Town winds blow! I think I've heard the scenario referred to as 'zone envy', not that there's anything wrong with that, but if you take a tree out of it's zone you need create accommodations as close to its zone as you can. A container tree times this size and a medium that is about 80% organic/20% grit and set it in water for the summer and you may have a fighting chance of keeping it. Best of luck, Rick

Thanks all. The conditions in Chicago have been hot this Summer. 'But since this plant grows in hot climates, I can't believe this should have caused the problem. I don't see any evidence of mites or other "crawly" things. Rick had an interesting point about "zone envy" in a previous post. But with given the lateness of the season, should I transplant this tree now?

is it potted in cat litter ?

No...it's planted in turface with little organic matter.

How can I get this question and the fine answers, posted to the Pests and Disease sections of our forum? Would this get the problem to more members?

Please feel free to transfer all of these posts, if you know how to do it....I certainly don't!

Your bald cypress is about the same size as mine and more or less the same size pot. The only difference perhaps is mine is immersed in a koi pond. My tree is growing like a weed and even now with temperatures fluctuating at 40's and 60's, the leaves are still green. I also used a deciduous tree soil mix and topped it with pebbles. I found out later that koi fish love to dig out its roots off the pot, hence the pebbles. You might be able to save your tree by soaking it in water. The Meehans ( from Meehan Miniatures) told me how they almost lost a dozen trees last winter after they left it on dry land. They were able to revive the trees by immersing them in their pond. Good luck.

I don't think it's viral. We usually refer to this as bronzing it usually is triggered by not enough water on root ball and heat. I have also seen it triggered by misting of foliage during hot windy summers. Down here we use a very high organic mix on BC's and also submerg the lower half of the pot in a tray of water. If the weather stays kool the tree may go into dormancy.

Either way you should get your tree into a water tray now. Remember you cannot over water a BC.

Mitch

Yeah. I'm thinking that dormancy has already been triggered in our part of the country, and BC are the first ones to really show it. All of mine, and I have a boatload are showing signs of this. We had temps within the past two weeks down in the thirties at night...I'm sure they are going in to rest stage.
To make sure scrape a little bark from the trunk. If you see green, all's well.
They are VERY tough trees.

This looks like a "normal" fall color change to me. BC's that are ill may have browning leaves, but they do NOT fall off the tree as yours are, but cling to the branches for dear life. I put "normal" in quotes because it obviously is not "normal" -- but it may be an early fall brought on by unusual environmental conditions.

Yes, I would repot now (with as little root disturbance as possible) into a pot that is twice as large as this one -- if only for appearance's sake; this one looks like it's about to teeter over onto its side the visual base is so small. I'd suggest the same depth but at least twice the width. I also suggest 60% Turface and 40% organic (composted pine bark or equivalent). There's no need to keep it sitting in water, but do NOT let it dry out. I have never noticed that BC in pots do any better in water than in a well-hydrated pot.

I have treated the plant with various fungicides, including Deconyl (sp?).

NEVER do this! Don't use a pesticide unless you know what it is you are spraying for! And mixing several over the course of time is a pathway to disaster for any plant!

I suspect your tree is OK unless it has been overdosed with something. Good luck.

Wow...thank you all for your sage and timely comments. I really appreciate your help.

I really can't remember ever letting my BCs dry out - though this could have happened. In fact, I tried hard to keep them submerged in water all or at least most of the time. And we had a scorchingly hot Summer this year. I only used fungicides on these plants because I really didn't know what ws happening with these tree, nor did any of my bonsai friends. None of us has EVER seen anything like this. But obviously, I must have screwed something up!

Be all that as it may, what to do now? I think I will take the collective advice and re-pot the plants with minimal root disturbance. I must admit that I am concerned about re-potting so late in the year - it's going to get cold up here mighty soon. But maybe a big grow box will work. Also, should I keep these plants in the sun - given the little time we have left in our Indian Summer - or should I keep them in the shade?

Your thoughts please on my strategies, at your convenience. Again, thanks so much!

Bob

Bob
It seems like every BC is on it's own schedule as far as when dormancy starts, some are early and some are late. I use to have a Forrest with trees from several places, 1 thrd would start, then 2 weeks later and so on.

Mitch

rck89 wrote:Wow...thank you all for your sage and timely comments. I really appreciate your help.

I really can't remember ever letting my BCs dry out - though this could have happened. In fact, I tried hard to keep them submerged in water all or at least most of the time. And we had a scorchingly hot Summer this year. I only used fungicides on these plants because I really didn't know what ws happening with these tree, nor did any of my bonsai friends. None of us has EVER seen anything like this. But obviously, I must have screwed something up!

Be all that as it may, what to do now? I think I will take the collective advice and re-pot the plants with minimal root disturbance. I must admit that I am concerned about re-potting so late in the year - it's going to get cold up here mighty soon. But maybe a big grow box will work. Also, should I keep these plants in the sun - given the little time we have left in our Indian Summer - or should I keep them in the shade?

Your thoughts please on my strategies, at your convenience. Again, thanks so much!

Bob

Personally, unless the tree is root-bound, I'd leave it alone and leave the repot for next spring. There is really no reason to place it in the shade now. The sunlight we are receiving is less intense than that during the summer. Just keep it moist and cross your fingers.

Gandalph - My BCs are only slightly root bound, i.e., some roots growing out to the bottom of the pot. Guess I should check them more extensively. Thanks

Bob
On BC's being slightly root bound is not really a bad thing. I am with gandalph on this one I would not repot! I would set in a tray of water and move to more shady area. I would also give it some extra protection this winter. I think it will be ok.

Mitch

OK, re-potting is out! Thanks again, guys. This forum is soooooo kool!