I have a norfolk pine that is becoming brittle and is dying? Any suggestions on saving it?

A norfolk pine is an indoor plant. You don't say where you have it. If it is indoors then it needs a bigger container, but probably too late now. If it is outdoors, it is a climate thing and not supposed to be there.

If the pine is becoming brittle, and dropping needles, then it is already too late to save it, but if you want to invest in a bigger pot and try then go ahead. It all depends on how much you have invested. I am a good gardener but have never had any luck with indoor pines. One never knows how much water they need in the container to sustain it, and what kind of fertilizer to use. I have tried many different variations of my own concoctions and not had any luck. Pines outdoors seek their own nourishment and water and widespread roots to do this.

How 'bout a little positivity? If this was your pine, what would you do?

How 'bout a little positivity? If this was your pine, what would you do??

I think in my last post I was about as positive as I could be. Are you a gardener, beachghost? Its like I said, indoor pines are fragile, it isn't their environment. They are hardier in their own seasonal changes. Now if you were a pine, wouldn't you be confused if you were indoors 24/7 ?

Anyway, Beach, this thread is already two years old and the OP hasn't been back since 2007.

Tick

Oh wow, this post has been brought from the dead. But not my pine! Sadly, it passed ;)

Oh wow, this post has been brought from the dead. But not my pine! Sadly, it passed ;)

LOL, hope you gave the poor thing a decent burial !

Tick

Sorry your plant died. This post is for those that are coming along recently - 1/2012. Don't disturb the roots by repotting as the shock will kill your plant. Don't overwater. Don't underwater. Place potted plant over a larger container with shallow sides - fill the shallow container with small stone and water the stones - the effect being a source of daily humidity. Don't allow your pot to come in direct contact with the water source. If you do, you'll get root rot. Mist your pine daily with cool water. Place pine near window for light. Now for the bad news for those peeking through the www for an answer. If you've got brown edges and dropping needles and branches - you're plant doesn't know it's dead yet. Sorry - you have to break the news to your pine, so be gentle. If it insists on denial, (maybe its an inherited survival instinct) then perform the above hocus-pocus, and perhaps you'll get devine intervention by the plant gods. Good luck.

sorry your plant died. this post is for those that are coming along recently - 1/2012. don't disturb the roots by repotting as the shock will kill your plant. don't overwater. don't underwater. place potted plant over a larger container with shallow sides - fill the shallow container with small stone and water the stones - the effect being a source of daily humidity. don't allow your pot to come in direct contact with the water source. if you do, you'll get root rot. mist your pine daily with cool water. place pine near window for light. now for the bad news for those peeking thru the www for an answer. if you've got brown edges and dropping needles and branches - you're plant doesn't know it's dead yet. sorry - you have to break the news to your pine, so be gentle. If it insists on denial, (maybe its an inherited survival instinct) then perform the above hocus-pocus, and perhaps you'll get devine intervention by the plant gods. Good luck.

Good post, tfrimet, you make a lot of sense, and... you are amusing. Can you stick around and post some more on plant questions ?