Brown Tips on a Mediterranean Cypress House Plant

Stress

• Stress is a fairly common problem in the gardening world, and a condition which will affect both indoor and outdoor plants, including the Mediterranean cypress. This is a general term for a variety of problems caused by a number of triggering conditions and events. Among the most common symptoms of stress is leaf discoloration. Transplanting is one major cause of a stress response, and can occur even when the procedure is done perfectly and with a completely healthy plant. Most often, these foliage problems are temporary and will resolve themselves in a few days or weeks. Though the Mediterranean cypress is a warm-weather plant which does well in sun, excessive periods of high temperatures and sun without supplemental water also triggers stress.

Water

• Proper watering is a key ingredient to maintaining a healthy cypress, as too much or too little will result in foliage discoloration. Roots will become severely damaged and unable to function fully or at all if water is allowed to stand at the base of the plant. This excess moisture also provides ideal conditions for root rot, a bacterial infection which almost always kills the plant. Too little water, particularly in hot or sunny months, is likely to trigger a stress response, which will turn foliage brown.

Iron or Nitrogen Deficiency

• Both iron and nitrogen are essential parts of keeping plants healthy and producing lush, green foliage. Without one or the other, chlorophyll, the material within the leaves responsible for the green color, diminishes, and leaves turn yellow or brown. Avoid using liquid chemical fertilizers, as too much will cause burns of leaves and roots, a potentially serious side effect. Instead, keep soil supplied with a good dose of decomposed compost, the breakdown of which will keep nutrition balanced without the side effects. Nitrogen deficiency will cause leaf and vein material to discolor in a uniform manner, while an iron deficiency starts at leaf margins and progresses inward, leaving vein material unaffected.

Illness and Insects

• Disease and insects are mostly a problem for outdoor plants, but indoor plants are not immune. Pathogenic fungi and bacteria are problematic, particularly for plants already under stress, and many will cause leaves to turn brown. Keep cypress plants free of debris and standing water, and perform preventive treatments with bactericides and fungicides, particularly during rainy or humid seasons. Spider mites are especially damaging to Mediterranean cypress plants, both indoors and out. These small pests are difficult to see with the naked eye, but the webbing they produce will become fairly obvious. In large enough numbers, spider mites will turn all foliage brown, and will likely kill the plant. Ridding house-grown Mediterranean cypress plants of spider mites is especially difficult, as most horticultural soaps and oils are not effective. Discard any heavily infested plants; spray or wipe down others.once every week or two.