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Originally Posted by Pat Chatburn
I was given a strawberry tree, arbutus unedo, early in December. It has seemed to be growing ok but new leaves keep coming and then start to turn brown and gradually fall off. It is doesnt seem to be able to keep its leaves. Is there something that it needs in the way of feed or something else that I need to do
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New leaves browning and falling off can be a symptom of waterlogging, or of drought.
Is it planted somewhere well-drained? They are naturally plants of rocky mediterranean places with very good drainage, and would probably hate water-logging.
Drought can be problem if you plant a very pot-bound plant, and didn't untangle the roots. This is because water can't penetrate the tangled root bundle, and the roots can't escape to take water from the surrounding soil. If the established leaves look a bit wilted, as well as new leaves falling off, that might indicate drought.
Since my own seems indestructibly vigorous and problem free, and I've never fed it, and I planted it on not very fertile stony soil, I don't think feeding it is likely to be the answer. I did have to water it when it was young in dry periods, before it had developed a deep root system. I don't water it now.