Monday, October 14, 2019

Flaming cryptomeria branches, in a vase, on Monday

Andrew loves autumn and Halloween. I'm less enamored but manage to do a little seasonal decorating, for him if nothing else. I'd been out in the garden cutting random bits to put in a vase with Solanum integrifolium (pumpkin on a stick, purchased at Trader Joe's) when I took a close look at the bottom branches on my Cryptomeria japonica 'Rasen'...

If you're not familiar with this conifer, it's normally twisted. Twisted branches and twisted needles. So the oddity that caught my eye, wasn't the twist, but rather the color. It's normally green, evergreen. A few of those green branches appeared in a vase back on December 5th, 2016 (here)

All but the bottom few feet of branches are still green, these blazing bits were in the lowest, shady, three feet—and in fact there were new green branches pushing out right near these orange ones.

The color is fantastic, perfect in a vase this month. But I am a little worried about the tree.

Do you think this is a sign there's something wrong with it?

Weather Diary, Oct 13: Hi 63, Low 47/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

14 comments:

  1. In an ideal world it would turn that color every October in time for Halloween. It looks perfect with the silver plant depicted on the vase and the real silver plant on the table.

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    1. A FB commenter reminded me that many cryptomeria turn colors with the cool weather, however this is not one of those trees.

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  2. Gorgeous Halloween colour. Might be the plant is self pruning those branches due to reduced light. A lot of evergreens do this when the inside or bottom gets too dense.

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  3. What a lovely rich amber color, perfect for the season. I agree with luv2garden that it might be normal fall needle drop like the pines do here. Let's hope so!

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    1. Indeed! I meant to go look at the tree yesterday but forgot.

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  4. It's really very attractive, and season-appropriate, so I hope Elaine is right on the cause.

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  5. Seems like the plant deciding that the bottom branches are no longer necessary -- I wouldn't worry too much! They do look fabulous though.

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    1. I was just going to say that I missed your blog, I clicked on your face to see how old your last post was and what do you know!? There's a new one!

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  6. I've read that the lower branches of conifers often turn like this, and that it doesn't mean anything bad. But it's hard to know for certain without seeing the whole plant. I hope the tree is just shedding its oldest needles.

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  7. Wonderful colors. Totally appropriate for the season, Andrew should be happy. I bet the tree is just fine.

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