Dying Ligustrum

CasierSosay

T his tree was a gift to me for Xmas, but was about dead when I received it. I brought it back to life, and repotted it this spring. It will go through growth spirts every so often. However, all the old growth seems to die off when I let new sprouts grow. Also when I try prunning the branches seem to die off within 2 weeks from the time they are cut.
What is the reason for this, and, is the anything I can do to help this to tree become more lively? I've tried fertalizer and even having it outdoors for a couple days, but nothing seems to help.
Currently it is inside in my display case, under florecent grow lights with the rest of my trees. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx

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Will_Heath

Privits are very hard to kill in my experiance, they have been very forgiving to me. I live in Michigan zone 6 and I keep mine outdoors year around as I can not provide the high humidity that they need for indoor growth. Without further details IMHO I think this may be your problem. If you want a indoor ligstrum supply high humidity with a tray. Or grow outdoors until the temp starts to dip below 50 and then bring it in.

Warning, if you plan on wintering it outdoors, move outdoorsin early fall so it can become used to the cooler temps before frost sets in.

CasierSosay

I have a humidity scale and it is always around 55 -60%, which i think would be about right. perhaps i am wrong. I have the lights on about 14 hrs. a day, and the lumens are correct. I am wondering if it is just the tree...

i will try to keep it outside for a couple weeks and see what happens. If I put it outside now it will be alright to leave it outside all winter...

Will_Heath

In my growing zone and with my experiance, yes this is a good time, my pivets love either full sun or partial shade, if that were my tree I would move it outdoors in dappled shade, water only when almost dry and mist the foliage and surrounding area daily, while keeping a close eye on the tree.

I have had pivets completely drop all the leaves before only to bud back out. Good luck, keep me posted please.

TreeBay

It's probably starved for light You can tell by the length of those internodes and lack of branching that it is struggling to find light. You won't see positive improvements in a couple of days no matter what you do. Plants take time, as in weeks, months!

I would get it outside into full morning sun, part afternoon sun, immediately, and let it rejuvenate until the frost comes.

Regards,

Matt

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bmor

hey Badbyte, so you keep the privets outdoors all year?? you're not far from me so i was glad to see your post. i took some cuttings last fall from a potensai in a store where the owner said no problem. i potted them and kept them inside all winter but took the cuttings outside all summer in full sun. they grew like mad. mine need water twice daily but fall/winter care tips was a post i was going to pursue in a month or so.
thanx and hope yours recovers CasierSosay
bill

Will_Heath

bmor,

yes, my privets stay outdoors all winter with my pines, maples, etc. I can't supply the humidity they need in my house. I had a couple drop all their leaves one winter but they sprouted right back in the spring, usually they stay evergreen.

I have a corner where I overwinter my bonsai, privacy fence on the north and west side, I mulch with pine needles up to the pot rims and let the snow just fall on them for insulation and moisture when the days turn warmer. So far I haven't had winter kill on a privet. (thank you, bonsai fairies!)

bmor

great tips; much appreciated.
thanx