is my eucalyptus gunnii dying?

[sydney]

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?

[rana]

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.

[bluemoon]

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

[vicky]

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)