As an evergreen plant, the Australian chestnut should never be left without leaves. It is not related to the native chestnut, which becomes bare in autumn. Therefore, leaf loss and regrowth are roughly balanced.
The Australian chestnut does not tolerate too much or too little water
However, if your Australian chestnut is developing brown tips or is shedding excessive leaves, then the plant is not doing well and you should investigate the cause. Although the Australian chestnut is considered to be quite robust, it still has some needs. Therefore, errors in care could well be the reason for the ailing of the plant.
Causes of brown leaves and leaf loss:
- watering too sparingly
- too damp or wet soil
- Potassium deficiency
- too little light
- too cold location
How can I help my Australian chestnut?
If your Australian chestnut is clearly not doing well, check the plant's substrate. If it is significantly dry, watering is probably necessary. If your Australian chestnut recovers afterwards, make sure to water it regularly in the future. With a lack of potassium, however, the substrate is inconspicuous, as is the case with an unsuitable location for the plant.
Rather moist substrate could indicate a root rot. Expose the root ball of your Australian chestnut. Healthy roots are firm and white. Soft and/or brownish roots, on the other hand, are not healthy. In this case, you should completely replace the old soil. Also, cut off any diseased parts of the root ball. Then water the Australian chestnut sparingly for the next few weeks.
How can I prevent leaf loss in the future?
The best way to keep your Australian chestnut healthy is with good care. It needs a relatively large amount of water, at least during the growth phase. Fertilizer is needed about every two to three weeks. If it contains little potassium, it can lead to a deficiency. Then switch to a different fertilizer. The location of the Australian chestnut should be warm and bright, but not exactly in the blazing sun. You should get the plant used to direct sunlight relatively slowly.
tips
Proper care and location will keep your Australian chestnut healthy. This should not lead to leaf loss.