Grow Your Own Magazine

Hello all
Can anybody help me with my Eucalypt? I've had it about four years and right now almost all the leaves are brown. It is in a large pot outdoors and is about eight feet tall. The soil in the pot was good garden soil from a bag when I planted the Euc in it, as our garden is clay, which I understand they don't like. It has had many green leaves in the past, but lately these are sparse. Due to poor water quality in the area (Hampshire) I give it de-ionised water from an aquarists. I'm reluctant to transplant to the garden, due to a/ the soil, an b/ if it should spring up, it will take the moisture from the neighbours gardens thus making a depression in their lawns, plus of course the height it could obtain next to the fence. Can anybody help me save my little bit of Australia ? Am I over watering, underwatering, should I transplant?

I had the same problem with a pot grown Eucalyptus (about 1M tall) about a year ago. It was in decent compost with some grit, adequately watered and well looked after. It then just gave up. The leaves went brown before being shed. I clipped the plant back but it refused to respond and eventually was declared dead. I checked the soil for pests or rot but found nothing. I know this isn't much help but I suspect that young Eucalypts occasionally just give up.

I had the same problem and I'm afraid it too resulted in death.

The most obvious thing would be that the pot dried out, however briefly and killed the roots.
As a final hope why don't you repot, checking for nasties in the soil as you do, then give it a good soak (but don't waterlog it) and cross your fingers...
Good Luck
(By the way, I'm on clay here and eucalyptus seem to grow fine)