Help me save my African Baobabs (Adansonia Digitata)?

[afa]

Hi all,

First time I've joined a forum, so I guess that means I'm fairly serious about finding some answers Let me give some good detail below about my dilemma:

I love baobabs and always have. I've successfully raised some specimens in the past for many years, until they were destroyed by unknowing family members who thought they were dead (they were dormant!) whilst I was working overseas... very sad story.

My partner has since gone to GREAT lengths to import for me two new specimens from Africa which are already developing some nicely bulging trunks. They were kept in quarantine for several months, which can be a little risky, but they seemed to turn out alright and were looking fairly healthy upon collection. One tree was more 'robust' than the other but they both appeared to be doing all right.

Long story short, the specimens are not yet ready for bonsai-ing since I want to develop trunk thickness a little more. They were unfortunately kept in really really small pots in quarantine, and as it is now their growing season, I needed to get them into some more appropriate containers to allow for some growth. It's obviously not an ideal time to repot anything in growth stages, but it didn't seem suitable to keep them as they were either.

I re-potted them with a mix of 50% course river sand with a bit of small gravel for faster drainage, with the other 50% being organic compost/potting mix. They seemed to do ok in their new pots for a couple of days. Although I didn't really need to cut any significant rootage away, I didn't water them straight away in their new pots since I've read to avoid doing so. Then, I went away for about 3-4 days. Upon my return, the leaves have drooped quite somewhat and even the robust plant looks now a little sickly. The less-robust plant (with less growth) had lost 2 small lower leaves which had turned yellow.

I don't lavishly water baobabs. Although on this matter, there is a wide variety of opinions, with many growers suggesting only small amounts of water, others suggesting copious amounts of soaking but no more than once per month. I've never had watering problems with my past specimens. However, I did notice that when the leaves on these baobabs drooped on a different occasion a while ago, a bit of water woke them up again nicely. I did so again this time, but they haven't picked up!

The other basics i'm aware of: full sun and hot climate. I keep these on my balcony in a great sunny position, and take them inside behind a bright window whenever there is cold/rain. I know they need fast-draining soil, and not to be over-watered, especially as dormancy comes on. I know they don't seem to have many pests either, though I've noticed recently that some white specking on the leaves have appeared which I thought could be spider mites, though I can't really see any other indicators of mites. I've wondered if this is also some sort of other health indicator? I am based in Sydney where, although the weather hasn't been great lately, the plants haven't been exposed to any cold.

All in all, I'm a touch worried since I've not had baobab problems in the past! These specimens are also personally important since they were an expensive gift, and I would very much like them to thrive, let alone keep them alive!

Any suggestions or insight from your vast experience would be a wonderful help!

Thank you!

[Dario]

Hi af, I am only a beginner at bonsai and have absolutely no experience with this species.
Exactly how long ago did you repot them? It sounds like they were put into full sun straight after the repot and although baobabs may be different in their requirements, most other species require a period of adjustment for a few weeks after a repot (out of full sun and strong wind etc) and are then slowly reintroduced into full sun...although it sounds like you basically slip potted them being that you didn't really do any root work, so maybe the repot is not the issue
Anyway, I am sure that the experienced members will give you advice on the repotting and the other issues you mention when they are awake...sorry I could not give you any help
I wish you the best with the trees as they are a lovely species and they are obviously important to you!
Good luck and welcome to the AusBonsai, Dario.

[chrisatrocky]

afa, I think that the trees have just droped the leaves because you repotted them and will probably come back as soon as the roots settle in to thier new home. Another thing is, you should always water(well with a seaweed solution) newly potted/planted plants no matter what they are, even cactus, this prevents the roots drying out and helps fill any air pockets around the roots with soil, making the plant more stable.

If you have good draining soil in these trees then there should be no reason not to water them on a regular basis. These trees are used to extremes of temperatures. Hot dry days and cold nights.

you said you went away for 3-4 days after repotting, these trees are tough, but 4 days without water after repotting???????

water them with a seaweed solution over the next couple of weeks and hope for the best Baobabs are beautiful trees.

chris

[afa]

1) Thank you Dario for your response. It is helpful to think about. The plants weren't put back into full sun (but still behind a bright window... perhaps shade would have been better). I gathered that since I was away for a few days I didn't want them to be locked up without sun, being the species they are, and yes since no roots were really affected. Something for me to consider further, thank you.

2) Thank you Chris. I certainly agree with you that not watering after repotting is strange. The only reason I chose not to do so is because most info by growers of adansonia digitata advises to wait 2 full weeks before watering again because rot root is very easy after repotting. However, in my case, since no actual tubers were cut, and since this was after all in the growing season, perhaps this didn't need to apply? Thank you for your suggestions, I will try some seasol in the coming days.

[afa]

I have attached some pictures of the leaves.

After a good (and controversial) soaking, the more robust tree looks a little more robust again, apart from the white spots that have developed suddenly on both plants' leaves over the past few days. I can't see any other evidence of mites... any ideas?

Afa

[Bretts]

I would not worry to much about the spots at the moment I doubt whatever it is will do much harm but if you do see any bugs just remove them by hand.

It seems you are very lucky to have these recover.

I believe even though Baobabs don't need alot of water, still the correct technique will be to fully saturate the pot at each and almost every watering but then the time between each watering will be a week to a month.

Good luck

[afa]

Thanks for your comment Bretts,
Afa

[Dario]

Hi afa, please keep us informed as to how these do...once again, best of luck.
Out of interest, could you at some stage please post a pic of the whole plant?
Cheers, Dario.

[Ray M]

Hi afa,
I agree with Chris about the Seasol. I would have given them a dip soak in a Seasol solution for half an hour after repotting. I hope you will be able to save both trees.

Regards Ray