AusBonsai

Dear all, Helpppp!! I need desperate advice for an old radiata pine. It seems to have symptoms of a fungal problem "cyclaneusma".
Unfortunately I left my camera out in the rain so I cant take any photos.
Does anyone here have any experience with Cyclaneusma? Any advice is
most welcome. By the way, there are NO "drainage problems", "soil porosity or water clogging problems", "potassium, magnesium or any other deficiency problems","soil pH problems","natural needle shedding", "watering issues", "insects, typically mite issues" or "root eating grub issues". There are none of these problems and I have investigated all these problems in the last couple of years. This is the only pine of mine that has symptoms of cyclaneusma and has had it for the past two or three years. However, I do live in the south of Sydney and some days it can get humid during warmer periods. But the humidity is something that I cant change, besides my other pines are doing very well. I am keen to hear from anyone who has very old radiata pines perhaps 35+ years old as scientist have selectively grown more resistant strains over the decades. Unfortunately theyve found out that theyve narrowed the genetic variations of Radiata from doing this. The original owners said this radiata had come from a 1966 seed so its 43 years old. This is why Im seeking anyone with very old radiatas who perhaps live in a more humid area and have experience with this disease. Cycloneusma cause yellowing in the needles which is very similar to deficiencies in some elements. However the disease seems cyclic and spread spontaneously around 1 year old or older needle growth. It seems to be more apparent in early spring. However spring seems to have come earlier this year so the symptoms have come out. Has anyone got any experience with injecting a systemic fungicide into the xylem layer? Also does anyone know where I can get a fungicide that is "dodide" based. There is some positive research where aerial applications of dodide at monthly intervals can help manage the problem in large plantations, however doesnt eradicate it. Any advice or suggestions is most welcome, even if you have no experience in this type of needle cast problem but have strong suggestions (besides getting rid of the tree of course). Also is there anyone who knows where I can obtain dodide, or would I need some sort of permit. Thanx for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it. Im really desperate and I hate to see an old 43 year old beautiful tree die slowly which is why Im going to fight like hell to save it. Ive already spent many late nights researching this and will continue battling. Hope to hear from anyone Thanx Eddie

John M is ya man, he has old radiata's and is a horticulturist. he should should chime in here any time now or pm him. good luck.

anttal63 wrote:John M is ya man, he has old radiata's and is a horticulturist. he should should chime in here any time now or pm him. good luck.

Thanx so much Ant, I will try to PM him to see if he has any suggestions on the fungal problem. I really appreciate it . Cheers Eddie

At the NBPCA (National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia) in Canberra we have a 40year old Radiata that lived in Sydney till 2 years ago.

It did have a touch of Dothistroma when it came to us and we cured it with a few applications of Cocide blue.

Hope that is of help.

Grant Bowie wrote:At the NBPCA (National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia) in Canberra we have a 40year old Radiata that lived in Sydney till 2 years ago.

It did have a touch of Dothistroma when it came to us and we cured it with a few applications of Cocide blue.

Hope that is of help.

Radiata pine 1968 Mel Imbesi.jpg

Thanx so much for responding Grant, Im really appreciative. Just wandering if cocide blue is a systemic?

Information says Kocide Blue is a "protectant " fungicde and places a barrier between the spore and plant; so no not systemic.

However it works it works and without it in certain circumstances you can end up with a dead tree..

Good luck with your tree.

The NBPCA tree was repotted last year and has regained vigour and, now that it is healthy and free of disease, has been undergoing restyling for 8 months now and will be unveiled later in the year and put back on exhibition all year round.

Grant Bowie wrote:Information says Kocide Blue is a "protectant " fungicde and places a barrier between the spore and plant; so no not systemic.

However it works it works and without it in certain circumstances you can end up with a dead tree..

Good luck with your tree.

The NBPCA tree was repotted last year and has regained vigour and, now that it is healthy and free of disease, has been undergoing restyling for 8 months now and will be unveiled later in the year and put back on exhibition all year round.

Grant, thats good information. Placing a barrier between spore and plant sounds better than a dead tree. Looks like I will look into Kocide Blue. Thanks again, cheers Eddie

very handy stuff to know in future. good luck ed.

Thought I might hijack the thread for a sec as that seems to be soughted for now
I noticed little bits of white fluffy bits like microzia on the fresh buds of some of my JBP.
They have a small amount of yellowing needles but I thought this was normal for this time of year.
Not knowing much about pines I almost thought it was just a natural thing?
I wonder if this is needle cast?
I will get a picture of it if need be.

That is mites. Spray them with rogor.

Ok thanks kindly Jow. I better start a new thread as I have some questions about pest control sprays.