Do you think your red-robin tree is dying and cannot find the cause behind it? Or are you not sure if your red-robin tree has died, but you feel something is off?
Don’t worry; here is all you need to know about it.
What are the Reasons Behind the Poor Condition of Your Red Robin Tree?
Naturally, Red Robins are healthy plants. However, they can develop a few problems you should be concerned about, such as leaf spot, honey fungus, powdery mildew, brown root, or fire blight.
However, if you think your Red Robin plant is suffering from some issue, look for the following problems, as they are most common in Red Robin plants.
Leaf Spot of Red Robin
If the leaves of the Red Robin show dark red or black spots, it probably suffers from leaf spot. It is one of the most common conditions, and if not treated, the leaves can fall, and the plant will be severely affected.
In most cases, it occurs because of moist and cold conditions. If you grow a Red Robin plant in a humid environment, it will have a high chance of getting affected by leaf spot.
If you have diagnosed the problem and it is not spread over the whole plant, you can control the situation by removing the affected leaves.
However, if the infection has spread, you might have to reconsider the plant’s location. If the environment is too humid, it is better to transfer the plant to a suitable location.
On the other hand, if you think the environmental impact is temporary, you can prune the plant, and it will grow back healthier.
Honey Fungus
It is a fungal disease that can spread through the soil from one plant to another plant. As it spreads underground, the first target of this infection is the roots. It can adversely affect the root system of red-robin plants by making it difficult for them to absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil.
If you are unsure about the problem, you can examine the roots of your red-robin plant. If the roots show the presence of a white material, it is a honey fungus. The only way you can get rid of honey fungus is to burn the affected parts of the plant.
As soon as you diagnose the problem, isolate the affected part of the plant and burn it so the fungus dies once and for all.
Powdery Mildew Infection
Powdery mildew is another fungal infection that is diagnosed by the presence of white material on the stems and leaves of the plant. It can affect the plant’s growth and result in premature defoliation.
The most common cause of powdery mildew infection is the lack of sun exposure and cold temperature. So, you must plant your red-robin tree in a sunny area to avoid this problem.
If the infection gets too severe, you can use a fungicide. You can buy Bonide Sulfur Plant Fungicide, the organic solution for treating powdery mildew, by clicking on this link.
Crown Roots
Is your red-robin tree suffering from leaf discoloration and stunted growth? Can you see cankers on the stem with discoloration around the affected area? If yes, then it is probably affected by the crown root.
It usually occurs from overwatering. Once you have diagnosed crown root, don’t overwater and keep the plant away from moisture. Cut all the infected areas of the plant and make sure you disinfect your tools to prevent the spreading of infection.
Fire Blight
A common bacterial infection usually found to be the cause of infection in Red Robin plants is fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora. The leaves of the affected plant become black or brown and cling to the stems. Also, you can see girdling cankers on twigs and branches.
The bacteria propagate in moist and cold temperatures. Also, using high-nitrogen fertilizers can facilitate the spread of this disease.
So, make sure you fulfill the optimal conditions of growing the Red Robin plant to avoid the propagation of fire blight.
How to Tell if a Red Robin Tree Died Completely?
The signs of the dead plant include discoloration, munched leaves, withering condition of the plant, and damage to the bark, stems, or branches.
Look out for the following symptoms to know if your Red Robin tree has died completely.
Discoloration
One of the very first symptoms that show your Red Robin plant is dying will be the discoloration of leaves. The leaves can turn yellow or darker if they have a severe infection.
There can be various reasons behind this change. However, you have to examine the plant closely for a certain diagnosis.
Munched Leaves
Another sign your Red Robin plant has died is the condition of its leaves. Are the leaves munched or curled and clinging to the stems?
Does it seem like someone sucked the vibrance and life from the leaves? If yes, either your plant is on the verge of dying or has already died.
Withering Condition
Is there something off about your Red Robin plant? When the plant is dying or is dead, you can look at it and tell something is wrong with it.
The overall structure of the plant withers and the vibrancy is lost. So, if you have a hunch something’s wrong with your plant, or you can see symptoms of damage but can’t diagnose the problem, take it seriously.
Visible Negative Effects on Bark or Stem
Though most people usually focus on the plant’s foliage to detect the signs of dying, the stem or branches also tell a lot.
Examine the tree’s stem, branches, and bark and see if it has holes or is showing signs of the presence of insects/pests.
Wood-boring insects are the most common types of insects when it comes to the plant’s bark. They eat the bark, and ultimately, the plant dies.
What Should You Do to Rejuvenate Your Red Robin Tree?
There are two ways you can rejuvenate your Red Robin tree. You can either revive the plant by cutting it to 6 inches (15 cm) or cut a few stems yearly until it improves.
The easiest and most convenient way of reviving the Red Robin plant is to prune it. By prune, I don’t mean to cut its branches that look dull. When you are looking forward to reviving a dying plant, cut down about 6 inches (15 cm) of the plant.
The Red Robin plant can bear this pruning and will probably grow back healthier. However, this pruning would leave an ugly gap in your landscape. So, if you are too much concerned with the beauty of your landscape, go for a different method.
You can revive the Red Robin plant by cutting a few stems every year. You can start with stems that are too old and dull. After 3 to 4 years, the Red Robin plant will revive once every stem is cut.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to See the Results?
It depends on which method you are using. If you prune the whole plant together, you will probably see results next year. But if you are going for the method of cutting stems every year, you might need to wait for 3 to 4 years until the plant fully revives.
How to Properly Care for a Red Robin Tree So it Can Grow Healthy?
Maintain the plant’s water requirements, prune it twice a year, keep the area clean from fallen leaves and weeds, and use a mild fertilizer for enhanced growth.
Keep the following points in mind when growing a Red Robin plant.
- Don’t overwater the plant, as it has the innate ability to survive without much water, and the alternative case can lead to fungal infections.
- Prune the plant once or twice a year. It helps keep the plant in shape, maintains its size, and removes the damaged part of the plant.
- The Red Robin plant sheds a lot of leaves, and if you are not sweeping your garden regularly, the base of the plant will soon become a hiding place for slugs and snails.
- Use a mild fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro water-soluble fertilizer (buy it here). It can help the plant grow efficiently and beautifully.
- Keep a check on the weeds growing around the Red Robin plant.
Conclusion
Look out for the symptoms of infections as soon as you feel something is wrong with your Red Robin plant. The sooner you can reach the cause, the sooner you can treat it. Also, take care of your Red Robin plant, as prevention is always better than treatment.
References
gardenfocused.co.uk, gardeningknowhow.com, masterlawninc.com, homeguides.sfgate.com, horticulture.co.uk
