That was several months ago and now I'm getting suspicious that the tree
may have root rot. I've had a couple of limbs die and while I'm getting
new growth the old growth seems to be suffering. I'm planning to repot
to an inorganic soil (lava) of the appropriate particle size and want to
be prepared for what I find.


I'm glad Nina replied. I was going to but decided not to after
the chemical warfare experts recommended an arsenal of *cides to
"cure" it.

I'm not a root scientist or a bona-fide expert in fungal
diseases (Nina is), but I've been growing things -- in pots and
out -- for a LONG time. And I'm still enough of a scientist to
observe very carefully.

In my experience, no one who isn't a commercial grower or
applicator has access to ANY fungicide that will reliably
"cure" an on-going fungus attack. If you have a fungus ailment,
your only hope is to get rid of the conditions that create it,
whether that is excess moisture, too much rotting vegetation in
the soil, or whatever. For root rot, you bare root, get rid of
all infected root (and then some), and replant in clean soil.
For diseases of stems and leaves, you prune away the infected
area (and then some) -- and hope. Usually in vain.

Unlike with insecticides, and as Nina said, you CAN use
fungicides to HELP prevent fungus attacks -- but you need to
know what potential fungus you are attacking in order to choose
the right chemical -- and I find it is a much more sure thing to
simply eliminate the things that cause fungus in the first
place. Cleanliness IS next to godliness in plant care.

Jim Lewis - - This economy is a wholly
owned subsidiary of the environment. - Gaylord Nelson

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