Pine needles turn yellow: what to do and how to save, causes and signs of diseases and pests
Today, quite often summer residents grow coniferous plants on their plots - primarily pines. These cultures look very decorative and at the same time are considered undemanding to care for. However, if the rules of agricultural technology are violated, various problems can still arise. If the pine needles turn yellow, what should be done in such a situation? First of all, it is required to establish the causes of the problems.
Failed landing
In order for the pine tree to grow and develop normally, first of all, it is necessary to carry out planting work correctly. So that the needles of the culture do not turn yellow, it is important to take into account some of the nuances. Often beginner gardeners deepen seedlings too much.
The root neck, located underground, begins to rot over time. At the same time, the needles turn yellow and crumble. To prevent such problems, it is required to plant a crop in such a way that the root neck is 5-6 centimeters above the ground.
Also causing problems is planting a plant in a wetland. Coniferous tree does not tolerate stagnant moisture. In addition, pine trees that grow in the open sun often turn yellow. The scorching rays provoke the burning of tender and juicy needles. As a result, it seems burned, dries and crumbles. To prevent such problems, it is worth planting the culture in a shady place. However, it should have good access to daylight.
Another common cause of yellowing needles are thickened plantings. When crops are grown in close quarters, their competition for space, water and useful elements begins.At the same time, the weakest trees change color, dry out and lose their needles. Therefore, when planting plants, it is important to observe a certain distance, taking into account the size of an adult tree. The distance will be different - it all depends on the variety.
Improper care
In order for the plant to develop normally and not turn yellow, it needs to be properly looked after. At the same time, the cultivation of pine differs in certain features. To get a beautiful decorative culture, you need to choose and prepare the site correctly, taking into account the purity of the air and the norms of illumination. This will help to avoid further plant transplantation. Also, the tree needs timely fertilization and soil moisture.
Uneven watering
The cause of yellowing and drying of the needles may be a violation of the norms of watering plants. The death of needles is associated with both a deficiency and an excess of moisture. That is why it is so important to establish an optimal mode of soil moisture.
Young plants under the age of 5 years are recommended to be watered every week. At the same time, 10 liters of water are required for 1 tree. Adult plants need to be watered 3 times during the season. These crops require 40-50 liters of water.
In dry weather, mature plants need the same amount of moisture as young ones. In rainy times, it is recommended to reduce the amount of watering. It is recommended to moisten the soil only when its top layer dries out by 5-7 centimeters.
Lack of sun and lighting
In order for the pine tree to remain he althy and retain its decorative effect, it is important to provide it with adequate lighting. The needles often turn yellow when the tree is placed in the open sun. In this case, the needles literally get burned.
Lack of light also negatively affects the needles. It loses its green color and crumbles. In this case, the growth of the tree is inhibited and its growth is slowed down. What to do in such a situation? Experts advise initially choosing a site that is in partial shade for planting.
Poor quality fertilizer
Fertilizer deficiency can be recognized by appearance.In this case, yellowing and falling of the needles are observed. In this case, the needles acquire a chlorotic color, and the culture slows down its development. To cope with the problem, it is required to use nitrogen fertilizers - nitroammophoska or azophoska. For 10 liters of water, it is worth using 30-40 grams of the substance. It is recommended to apply such preparations in early spring.
With iron deficiency, the plant loses the attractive color of the needles and becomes whitish. When such signs are detected, it is recommended to make Epin, Heteroauxin, Quadris. It is recommended to use such funds in a foliar way. It is important that you follow the instructions. Typically, these substances are used in the summer. In total, up to 3 top dressings per season may be required.
Poor air quality
Yellowing and dying off of needles can be caused by exposure to polluted or gassed air. That is why the conifer can lose its beautiful green color. This process begins at the top of the tree, but gradually affects all fragments of the culture.
Before planting pine on the site, you need to carefully study the characteristics of the variety. If the description says that the variety does not tolerate air pollution, and the site is not located in the most environmentally friendly place, it is worth choosing a more sustainable variety of pine. It is best to give preference to plants that are not too demanding.
Pests
Quite often, a change in the color of the needles is associated with pest attacks. They can be recognized by a number of features. In such a situation, it is important to take adequate measures as early as possible.
Aphid
This sucking insect forms colonies and in a short period of time can provoke the destruction of all the needles. In this case, yellowing and falling of the affected buds, young shoots and needles is observed.
At the initial stage of infection, pests can be destroyed by folk remedies. To do this, it is permissible to use infusions of garlic, tobacco or hot pepper.An equally effective remedy is a solution based on soap and ash. In advanced cases, it is required to use chemicals. The most effective drugs include Skor, Fundazol, Actellik.
Bark beetles
These parasites make many holes in the central trunk and skeletal branches. They severely deplete the plant. As a result, it turns yellow, dries and dies.
To cope with parasites, it is important to systematically dig up the site in the fall. This will help get rid of the larvae that winter in the ground. It is also recommended to put trapping belts on the trunks. They are made from special sticky materials.
Hermes
This is a small red-brown aphid that is covered with waxy hairs. Like adult parasites, Hermes larvae absorb juices from needles and branches. As a result, there is a strong depletion of the culture, and the needles begin to die off.To cope with pests, it is worth using special insecticidal agents. The most effective substances from this category include "Mospilan" and "Confidor".
Red pine gall midge
This small dipterous insect is capable of literally laying more than 100 eggs in one clutch, from which sucking larvae subsequently appear. Parasites gnaw needles, which provokes its yellowing and drying. To cope with pests, it is worth using effective insecticides. These include Aktara, Mospilan, Calypso.
Mealybug
This pest infects the rhizome of the crop and gradually moves to its ground part. It is not difficult to recognize the parasite, since it is characterized by certain signs: an oval body up to 1 cm in size, many small legs and long antennae. Parasite females have wings.
It is important to consider that the mealybug can lead to the death of the pine. The parasite absorbs the juice from the cells of the tree. This causes a slowdown in its development. Affected needles begin to curl and turn yellow.
At the initial stage, folk remedies will help to cope with insects. To do this, spray the pine tree 3 times with a solution of green soap. To prepare it, you need to take 10-15 grams of the substance per 1 liter of water. Such treatments are carried out with an interval of 1 week. It is also permissible to spray the needles with garlic or tobacco infusion or use a decoction of cyclamen.
In more complex cases, it will not be possible to do without chemicals. This requires spraying needles with solutions of "Tanrek", "Mospilan", "Admiral". It is also permissible to use Actellik, Biotlin, Aktara.
Shield
This parasite has an oval body covered with waxy scales. Pests reach a length of 1 centimeter.Adult females are characterized by low mobility. They cover the eggs that are on the surface of the tree. At the same time, males, on the contrary, are characterized by significant activity. The larvae that emerge from the eggs first fix firmly on the pine needles, and then begin to move around a little.
The main danger of scale insects is that they actively absorb plant juices. As a result, oppression of the culture is observed, the needles lose their saturated shade and gradually crumble.
Because the body of parasites is covered with scales, it can be quite difficult to deal with them. Only those chemicals that differ in the contact-intestinal effect help get rid of pests. These include Intavir, Actellik, Mospilan.
Diseases
If the needles of a tree do not just turn yellow, but acquire a rich red color with a gray coating after the snow melts, a fungal infection of the schütte can be suspected.Most often, this pathology provokes the defeat of young plantings. However, for adult pines, it also poses a certain threat.
The main sign of pathology is the rapid death and yellowing of the needles after winter. Quite often, the needles turn orange in just a week. Adult plants begin to respond to the appearance of pathology 1 month after the snow melts. As a rule, the lower shoots of a mature pine die off.
The appearance of red and dry needles on a plant may indicate a fusarium infection. This fungal pathology prevents the spread of nutrients from the root system to branches and needles. This can cause complete yellowing and drying of the crown.
The yellow color of pine needles can indicate a variety of problems. These may be violations of the rules of planting and care, the development of diseases or pest attacks. In order to cope with the change in the color of the needles and prevent the death of the culture, it is important to establish the cause of such processes as early as possible.
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