My deodara has lost needles, too! Sadly! But I think it is starved of water; someone warned me not to overwater it because of the risk of root rot. I have had it in a container for 2 years and have had no problems until now. Is there a solution to this problem? I want someone to tell me I can save my beloved container cedar, which I have anthropomorphized to the point that it's almost a part of the family. Another note: I have moved the cedar temporarily inside because it's freezing out right now and I worried that watering it in such cold weather would do more harm that moving it inside. I think I need good advice fast! I really hope someone on this forum can steer a layperson in the right direction. My plan is to give it a quart of lukewarm water per day, as it's inside the house, and to cross my fingers, so that it doesn't fail like a doomed daphne with a witch's curse.
Re: Needle Loss on Deodora Unless you have it in a cold bright garage or enclosed porch your Deodar will be much happier if you put it back outdoors. It is a hardy plant designed to take freezing temperatures in winter, but not the warm dry air of a house. If it is in a very small pot in an exposed location it might suffer some root damage from frost, but if you are worried then just put the small pot inside a larger one full of soil or leaves to provide extra insulation. The soil should not be bone dry, but it shouldn't need watering in winter here in the pacific northwast unless you have it under a roof overhang where it gets no rain or snow. If so you will need to water it once every 3 weeks or so in winter, just frequently enough to keep it barely moist. Much less frequently than your summer watering. If you left under a roof and its been bone dry for a couple of months it is probably dead already. Never assume a plant needs water because it is wilting or dropping leaves - always check the soil. If the soil is even very, very slightly damp your deodar (and most other plants) doesn't need more water, certainly not a quart a day. If it is still alive but has suffered root damage the water will kill it faster not save it.
