Reasons for Yellowing and Drying Leaves of Buddhist Pine and Its Care and Watering Methods
Today I am sharing an evergreen tree with an auspicious meaning, called "Buddhist Pine" (Podocarpus macrophyllus). This plant not only has an elegant posture and emerald green leaves, but also symbolizes perseverance and longevity. At the same time, its flower language is also interpreted as "eternal love" and "resilient love," because its growth characteristic is that it can thrive even in harsh environments.
Generally speaking, the most common Buddhist Pine in flower markets is mostly in potted form. After plant lovers buy it and take it home, daily care is not complicated. First, in terms of light, it likes bright environments, but it cannot be direct strong sunlight. The most suitable is a semi-shaded environment. When summer comes, shade tools such as sun umbrellas should also be appropriately added at its placement position.
Second, water management is also crucial for Buddhist Pine. It is not tolerant of waterlogging, so watering should be moderate, and the soil should follow a slightly moist state. In winter, reduce the watering frequency to avoid root water accumulation and freezing damage. In addition, during high-temperature weather in summer, it is necessary to increase the humidity of the surrounding environment in the morning and evening. Doing so can prevent the leaves from turning yellow and withering.
Furthermore, the choice of soil cannot be ignored. Buddhist Pine is suitable for growing in well-drained soil. Loose sandy soil with good drainage can be used, and mixing in an appropriate amount of organic matter such as leaf mold can better promote its growth. In addition, it needs sufficient nutrients during the growing season, that is, applying an appropriate amount of slow-release compound fertilizer in April to May to support its healthy growth. However, be careful to avoid excessive fertilization, especially nitrogen fertilizer, otherwise it may lead to excessive vegetative growth.
Finally, paying attention to regular pruning of dead, diseased, and weak branches can also help reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. As for pests and diseases of Buddhist Pine, the most common are scale insects and red spider mites. If scale insects appear, there are often brown shell-like shapes in the center of the leaves, and the insect fluids will gradually penetrate until the leaves turn yellow and weaken. If it is red spider mites, spots often appear around the edges of the leaves, and red spider mites can be seen by observing the back of the leaves with a magnifying glass. At this time, treatment should immediately increase humidity by spraying water on the plant, and then use insecticide.