Hey, I am based in South Australia and about a year ago I purchased a Monkey Puzzle from a nursery in my town, a larger one but one that also often got unusual things (Also purchased a Xanthorrhoea from them for example.) When I purchased it, it already had browning, mostly on the lower branches which I chalked up to a rougher period with its prior owner, or during its extended time at the Nursery. It was also showing signs of continual growth. Over the last year it has had the browning progress, especially in the last few months, again mostly on the bottom branches with one about dead, but some higher up. At the same time I have also seen significant growth, lots of new branches from bottom to top of the stem, with the two ones on the bottom about tripling in size over the year. The top has also greatly increased in size, which shows to me its not dead and still trying to grow and suggests there is something I can change to help it. My current thoughts are its either a sun/ heat issue, or a water issue. For the former I am considering putting up a shade sail in the back yard to help keep some of the very hot Australian heat off it. For the later I am thinking of repotting it into a large terracotta pot to help with soil drying evenly (and check if its rootbound). I am wondering what those experienced here thing and what suggestions they may have. I have also attached photos, hopefully they upload correctly.
