The fact that a mussel cypress tree develops brown needles over the course of its life is a natural process. However, if the shoot tips turn brown, there is either an illness or a care error. What to do if your mussel cypress tree turns brown.
Why is my mussel cypress turning brown and what can I do?
If a mussel cypress tree turns brown, this may be due to a location that is too dark, incorrect watering, low temperatures, fungus or pest infestation. To solve the problem, you should adjust the location, check the watering behavior and check the plant for diseases and pests.
Brown needles as a natural process
A mussel cypress can live for many years. It is natural for needles to turn brown over time, especially on the inside. Browning is favored by a location that is too dark. The brown needles usually fall off and the gardener hardly notices.
If there are a lot of brown needles stuck, feel free to shake them off. This gives the plant more light inside.
Brown shoot tips – what could be the reason?
If the shoot tips turn brown and the color of the needles on the outside also changes, this can have various causes:
- Plant is too dark or too cool
- too dry substrate
- Waterlogging
- Fungal infestation
- Pest Infestation
Place the bowl or planter in a brighter location, but avoid too much direct sun. Water with rainwater and ensure that the irrigation water can drain away so that no waterlogging occurs.
What to do if you have fungal infections?
You can recognize fungal diseases of the mussel cypress by the dark spots on the browned needles and shoots. These are fungal spores.
Cut off affected plant parts and dispose of them in household waste.
If there is a severe infestation, you should use fungicides to save the mussel cypress from dying.
Optimal care prevents the leaves from turning brown
To prevent the mussel cypress from turning brown or getting brown needles, optimal care is the best prevention.
Make sure that the temperatures are not too low. Mussel cypresses like it when it is warmer than 20 degrees in summer. In winter the temperatures should be between 5 and 18 degrees.
Check the mussel cypress regularly for pest infestations and take appropriate action immediately if they occur.
Tip
Like all cypress species, the mussel cypress is poisonous. Be sure to wear gloves when caring for the plant, as the plant sap can cause allergic reactions on the skin.
