What should I do if the leaves of Australian cedar turn yellow and dry?

Australian fir is a popular ornamental tree in the world. Because of its unique shape, graceful posture and evergreenness all year round, it is very suitable for indoor bonsai. But during the maintenance of Australian fir, what should you do if you encounter the problem of yellowing and drying leaves? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Reasonable watering

Australian cedar is afraid of waterlogging. If you water it too much, causing the soil in the pot to be wet for a long time or waterlogged, it is easy for the roots to rot, the leaves to turn yellow, and even fall off and die. Therefore, you must master the correct watering method. The standard is to water the soil thoroughly when it is dry and wet when dry.

2. Increase lighting

Australian fir does not require much light, but it needs a certain amount of light. If it is kept in a too dark environment for a long time, it may cause yellow leaves. The solution is to move the plant to a bright but out-of-direct-sun location to ensure the Australian fir gets enough light.

3. Improve soil

Australian cedar prefers slightly acidic soil and is not suitable for soil containing too much alkalinity. Once the soil becomes alkaline, the leaves of the Australian cedar will easily wilt and turn yellow. If you encounter this problem, you can water the plants with ferrous sulfate in time or change the leaf mold to plant.

4. Supplement nutrients

Adequate nutrients will make the leaves of the Australian pine grow lush. If insufficient fertilizer causes the plant to lack nutrients, the leaves will slowly turn yellow and wither. It is generally required that fertilizer should be applied every two weeks during the growing season, preferably with compound fertilizer containing nitrogen and potassium.

5. Temperature management

The optimal growth temperature of Australian cedar is 10-25℃, and the wintering temperature is above 5℃. Too high or too low temperature will cause its leaves to turn yellow. Pay attention to temperature control. In winter, you can move it to a warm place indoors for maintenance, and in summer it needs to be placed in a cool place.

6. Pest control

Australian cypress has relatively few diseases and pests, and the main problem that may cause yellow leaves is the damage caused by scale insects. Generally, spraying of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos emulsion, and Guoguang scale killer can be used for prevention and control, with good results.

7. Prune yellow leaves

If the yellow leaves are only localized, you can consider pruning off the yellow leaves.

In general, the problem of yellowing and drying leaves of Australian cedar requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors and the adoption of appropriate measures to deal with it. If the problem cannot be solved, it is recommended to seek advice from a professional gardener or plant expert.