The joy of Thuja in the pot often only lasts for a short time when the needles turn brown and the tree of life is obviously ailing. Incorrect care is usually responsible for the thuja turning brown. What causes thuja to turn brown in the pot?
Why does a thuja turn brown in a pot?
A thuja in a pot can turn brown for various reasons, including dried needles, waterlogging, sunburn, frost damage, pest infestation or fungal infestation. Incorrect water supply is the most common cause. Proper care and monitoring will help prevent such problems.
Why does the thuja turn brown in the pot?
The following causes can be responsible for the tree of life turning brown:
- Tree of life dries up
- Waterlogging in the bottom of the pot
- Sunburn
- Frost Damage
- Pest Infestation
- Fungal infestation
The most common cause of discoloration is incorrect water supply. The substrate was not watered frequently enough, so the arborvitae slowly dried out. This can also happen if the pot is too small.
If the thuja tips are brown, you should examine the tree of life for the dreaded shoot death.
Water the tree of life properly in the pot
- Never allow the substrate to dry out completely
- Avoid waterlogging
- Do not place buckets outside on coasters
- Do not expose the pot directly to the midday sun
- Do not wet the leaves of the thuja
- watering in the morning
You should ensure a good water supply before planting. Beforehand, place the tree of life in a bucket of water for about 24 hours.
Watering is also necessary in winter when it has been very dry for a long time. Watering takes place on frost-free days.
Check thuja for pest infestation
A common pest that occurs on Thuja is the leaf miner. It flies in spring and lays its eggs on the leaves. The later larvae eat into the tunnels and initially cause the Thuja tips and later the entire tree to die.
In the hedge outdoors, the arborvitae can usually cope well with an infestation on its own. If it is grown in a bucket, you should take action immediately.
Cut off the affected tips of the thuja in the pot generously. If the infestation is severe, use a commercially available spray that you apply once before the pest takes flight and once after.
Tip
Thuja in the pot is even more susceptible to waterlogging and over-fertilization than Thuja in the hedge or individual tree in the garden. The tree of life in the pot is also not that hardy and must be kept frost-free over the winter or provided with winter protection.