[Hawkins]

My monkey puzzle tree looks a bit ill, It has some brown yellowing spikey leaves but not all over. And it appears to be leaning to one side

Ill try and put up a pic tomorrow but anyone any ideas or any more questions for me its only 30cm tall and lives in a pot.

[sunshineband]

I'll need to see the photo to be able to help ---- mine is in a pot and has come through the winter OK.

I'll try to help tomorrow 

[catllar]

Maybe it just don't like de pot! These are huge trees when adult - how big is your pot - maybe it's hungry!

[Flowerpower136]

Might need potting up or refresh the compost?

How big is pot?

[Hawkins]

here are som pics of the tree guys, Like I said its not a big tree but it doesnt look very happy.




any ideas. what type of compost do they like if I change the pot?

[Flowerpower136]

According to wikipedia they prefer well drained, slightly acidic, volcanic soil but will tolerate almost any soil type provided drainage is good.

Soil you have looks like potting compost?  Possibly a bit rich.  Not sure.  Think I try something a bit more gritty.  If they like acidic soil, wondering if a dose of Sequestrene might do it good.

Just guessing though, never had one of these, so no personal experience.

[Yorkie]

Multipurpose compost only has nutrients in it for about 6 weeks of growth.

Is yours in multipurpose compost?  If so, and assuming it is going to have to stay in the pot rather than be planted in the garden, I would repot it in John Innes No 3 compost which has a lot more soil and is far better.

I'd probably also try a general purpose fertiliser if it hasn't been fed recently.

[AnnieB]

Looks very dry and would need a heavier compost then what it appears to be in.

I would be tempted to get a bigger pot, as Yorkie says use JI No3, water well then place in a sunny position.

But as mentioned they are a big tree so not sure how they take to being restrained in a pot.

[Hawkins]

Thanks guys ill go and buy a nice big pot and John Innes no3. I bought it at a rhs show in cardiff over a year ago and the grower said it should be okay in the pot. Perhaps it just needs a little more TLC. I dont want to plant it in the garden in case we ever move. Ive wanted one for years and leapt at the chance of buying this little one.

[gillie]

Are those pinkish, yellowish tips soft or dried?

If they are soft I think they may just be the natural colour of the growing tips.

Gillie

[Hawkins]

nope there still hard and prickly. no part on this little tree is soft it well 'ard 

[sunshineband]

Those end shoots are dead I think, and it could be from lack of water. The pot does look a bit small tbh for the size of the root system of the tree.

I'd try repotting it in JI no 2 or somehting with a bit ofo substance (as others have said    ) and keep it in the shade for a while to see if it starts to sprout elsewhere.