How to save browning standard Lilli pillis?

[margmara]

 

 hello moving to our new home we inherited two standard lillipillis in pots. They are now turning brown and the flowers and leaves are dropping off. They flowered recently and had some berries.  Can I save them? 

 

[Jason]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @margmara. We're pleased to have you join us and trust you'll get plenty of help and inspiration for all your projects from our wonderful community members.

Please have a read of our guide How to diagnose and revive a sick lilly pilly. Once you have had a read, if you need further information please provide some more details about your trees growing conditions and how much water they have been receiving and whether you have applied anything else to try to assist their growth.

Many thanks,

Jason

[EricL]

Hi @margmara 

In addition to Jason's request, would it be possible for you to post a close-up photo of the leaves of the Lilly Pilly. This will help with our diagnosis of your tree.

Eric

[margmara]

 

Thanks for your responses.  ive read through the info and can't see any bugs or marks on the leaves. It drops the leaves then grows new growth but it's very sparse 

[Jason]

Any thoughts you could add to this discussion @Noelle?

Many thanks,

Jason

[Noelle]

Hi @margmara 

Lilly pillies do drop older leaves when they are producing new shoots - that is quite normal.  The older leaves are "surplus to requirements" so the tree dispenses with them.

The sparseness of the growth may simply be due to lack of trimming/pruning as the tree has grown. Regular trimming will encourage new growth and a more compact habit.

[margmara]

@Noelle 

Thanks good news! How and when is a good time to  prune?  Will it grow on old wood? 

[Noelle]

@margmara 

Over winter is a good time for a major prune.  Regular trimming to maintain neatness should be done every few weeks from spring to autumn. Some varieties of lilly pilly will shoot from older wood - try cutting back one older branch on your tree and see what happens over the next few months.