yellow leaves on acacia (forum)

Lynne starts with ...
Hi,
The leaves on my acacia has become very yellow. Can you tell me what this is indicating? thanks, Lynne

Time: 21st May 2009 4:23pm

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About the Author Lynne3
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amanda says...
Hi lynne,
have you given it any fertiliser containing phosphorous maybe?

Time: 21st May 2009 6:32pm

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Dekka says...
Hi Lynne, I have five Acacia longifolia, about 2 metres tall, at my place and two of them recently went yellow and dead-looking. I thought maybe it was Phytophera or something fungal but when one of the two snapped low-down I discovered it was some kind of large borer. The tree that snapped has begun regrowing just above the base but the other one looks completely dead.
If your wattle is youngish too, the yellowing may be for the reason. it might be the time of year for acacia borer??? Hope this helps.

Time: 21st May 2009 6:44pm

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amanda says...
Hi Lynne - acacia spp are 'weeds' on my property (although as a nitrogen fixer - it's useful! - I grow n harvest for mulch for eg)

I agree with Dekka - I also get this problem too...but...only on my reticulated natives...

(i think retic makes them very weak and prone to breakage also) I have none of these problems on the 'wild' acacias etc..(and I have the exact same problem with my melaleucas too)

I grow many natives ... they are quite 'particular' about just about everything! They do not need fertilising or water once establised - u will only hasten their death - slow n sure with natives. if u must fertilise use a native fert' or v.small amounts of blood n bone/dynamic lifter - but not necessary. This is very general advice..
Make sure that there is no mulch around the trunk, don't over water. They need excellent drainage. They are sensitive to phosphorus (but not as much as grevillias for eg)

No offence Dekka - but we know natives in the west (not so good on sub-tropical fruit trees like u guys!) Most of the selections come from here in fact.
But..this is a fruit tree forum so I leave it with u Lynne - have a look for a forum that specialises in natives for your area as Sydney can be a bit tricky with it's soils n climate/rainfall patterns.

Time: 24th May 2009 9:38pm

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Dekka says...
No offence taken, Amanda. But...as you all know your natives so well over there in the west, you'd be aware that many wattles have both edible flowers and edible seed so, Lynne, you go ahead and ask about your acacia. What species of Acacia is it, Lynne?

Time: 25th May 2009 9:00am

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About the Author Dekka
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kert says...
Yellowing of leaves can be due to high phosphate in soil ,usually due to run off from gardens with ferilisers. Care ful of Amanda ; she does take offence for the teeniest of infractions.

Time: 25th May 2009 11:00am

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amanda says...
thanks Dekka.. :)) u are right of course!

Time: 25th May 2009 2:55pm

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Lynne says...
Thanks. I asked at the forestry nurser today, she said either not enuf nitrogen in the soil, or the plant has finished. I thought it was too young to be 'finished' but apparently, it can happen after only a few years. She suggested I test the soil, which i aim to do, since I had a grevillea die nearby, and before I replace it. But however, I will check for borers too.

Time: 26th May 2009 2:14pm

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Dekka says...
Hi Lynne, If the nearby Grevillea died before the Acacia, then the most probable cause of death in a home garden is Phosphorus. Have you used any fertilisers at all?
P.S. Your forestry person isn't worth a cracker if they told you it was Nitrogen deficiency because Acacias have colonies of Nitrogen fixing bacteria living along their roots and they extract Nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Time: 26th May 2009 3:37pm

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amanda says...
Sorry Dekka - but the most common cause of death is actually over-watering :)

Time: 28th May 2009 9:45pm

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Dekka says...
Apology accepted and I suppose I must stand corrected...although, I was only suggesting that a Grevillea dying before the Acacia was indicative of Phosphorus toxicity as the proteaceae plant is more sensitive and likely to succumb first.
But I'm also intrigued by your correction (not so much for its pettiness but moreso by the statement you make.)
Could you please direct me to the data that supports the statement that the most common cause of death in native plants in a home garden is over-watering.
Looking forward to your evidence.

Time: 30th May 2009 10:14am

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About the Author Dekka
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amanda says...
Hi Dekka - I don't have time for this. I mentioned a helpful 'fact' that most native nursery tree growers would be happy to tell you - not a case of being petty - can't be bothered with that. I am exiting this topic now - it's all yours mate.

Time: 30th May 2009 11:14am

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amanda says...
Forgot to add - overwatering related to root rots, collar rots etc. Then there is the lush sappy growth that well watered natives get and their subsequent attractiveness to termites, borers etc.

The combination of too much water and poor drainage is the most common cause of failure in home gardens - not a problem in our sandy soils but for Lynne it could be - that's why natives are often grown on raised beds over East. Most books on native plants will tell you this and it's common knowledge.

It can also come about when plants with different H2O requirements are planted in close proximity and/or on the same reticulation pattern. (or heavy rain on poor sites). There are selections that will tolerate poor drainage and excess water however (Grevillias are not one of them but Acacias are more tolerant - which could also be the reason why the grev' died first)
If you check my first post you will see that I already mentioned phoshorus tox' because of the yellowing leaves. But it's difficult to tell anything without a more thorough knowledge of Lynnes conditions.
OK - back to fruit trees and happy gardening!

Time: 30th May 2009 12:16pm

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Dekka says...
Sorry, Amanda but I must insist on right of reply. What I was trying to tell you, without being absolutely blunt or rude, was that I never once said that Phosphorus toxicity was the most common cause of death in all home gardens but probably the most likely cause in Lynne's case... That's all.
You seem to have misinterpreted my post and then decided to correct me.
I'm happy to be told I'm wrong as long as the person telling me is right... so please tell me something I don't already know and maybe I can learn something from your contributions.
Despite what you might think there's a couple of us over here in the East that know a little bit about native plants.

Time: 31st May 2009 3:49pm

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About the Author Dekka
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Lynne says...
Thanks so much for your help everyone. Now,... I think the tree is dead. Leaves have progressed to brown. The soil I think does have poor drainage, and that's interesting about the nitrogen. I used to have 2 chooks up there in the area. This may be a cause of too much phosporus. thanks,Lynne

Time: 31st May 2009 5:53pm

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amanda says...
Crikey guys! I'll probably get booted off the site for this but...

Kert: Bite ya bumb
Dekka: toughen up cup cake.

warmest regards, amanda xxx

Time: 1st June 2009 11:25pm

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