My indoor Norfolk pine has curled dry branches and whitish flakes

Question

I have this Norfolk pine in a pot in a bright window. I got it 2 months ago as a healthy happy plant. I repotted it a month ago. It looks like it is drying and dying. Branches are clawing under and there seem to be whitish tiny flakes when I shake branch. Also I saw a few flying insects near it. I had a Norfolk pine that was healthy and happy for 20 years. I gave it away last spring when I moved from Massachusetts to Florida. It was too large to transport. I bought this smaller one which I transported to Florida. I was going to buy insecticidal soap. However, I am in the dark. Help.

Answer 1

Hm…. How much larger is the new container? If it was much more than an inch larger on each side, then my best guess will be overwatering.

Potting them up any larger than just a touch bigger of a pot will, ultimately, lead to overwatering. They are not fast feeders, nor do they take water rapidly.

At this point, as long as you aren’t unhappy with its shape (This won’t change much as it grows), then you can treat it with a fungicide. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

You will need to let it dry out pretty thoroughly between each watering. It should be bone dry almost halfway down the pot’s depth between waterings. This will keep future instances from happening.

Here is an article that will help you with the care of these trees: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/norfolk-pine/norfolk-island-pine-care.htm

Here is an article that will help you to water them properly: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/norfolk-pine/norfolk-pine-water-requirements.htm