Over watering Forest Pansy?

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Gootza Shepparton, Australia Apr 04, 2019

Hi all! Was wondering if anybody would be able to help me diagnose what’s happening with my Forest Pansy. I’m a total gardening noob, so excuse me if I sound ignorant.

The tree was bought in January in a 10” pot and looked quite healthy. It was planted in February in a raised garden bed in premium top soil. Watered every day for a couple of weeks as it was planted in summer. Now it seems to be looking a little sad... I have checked the soil with a meter and it is quite damp, which leads me to think I’ve watered it too much? Any ideas?

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Zen_Man Ottawa, KS(Zone 5b) Apr 04, 2019

Hello Gootza,

That plant looks like it is in serious distress. However, it is Fall now in Australia, with Winter approaching. Is this "Forest Pansy" a deciduous tree? I'm not sure it doesn't have some kind of disease. That based on some of the leaves are mostly green and others mostly dead -- you would think a lack of water or too much water would have a more uniform effect on the whole plant. Some nutrient deficiencies affect the old foliage or the new foliage preferentially. What, if anything, have you supplied in the way of nutrients? As I recall, Australia has some unusual ideas about the Phosphorous nutrition of plants.

ZM

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ViburnumValley Scott County, KY(Zone 5b) Apr 07, 2019

'Forest Pansy' is a selection of Cercis canadensis with purplish new foliage in the spring - at least it does here in the United States. The image of the twig appears to match that of Eastern Redbud.

That said: this species doesn't require excessive water. It can grow quite well in rather dry conditions when it has good roots under it. I understand some parts of Australia can be quite hot in summer months, and the walls behind this plant may exacerbate reflected heat environment and lead to poor foliage conditions. Redbud can also be prone to a number of foliar diseases as well.

I would stop watering it, especially since you are going into the dormant season. Since this is still a small plant, you might also think about transplanting it to a location where it may perform better - maybe some afternoon shade.

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kolomikta Somerville, MA May 05, 2019

My young cercis canadensis had this problem a few years ago, in the fall. I left it alone and the problem has not recurred.

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