"Somewhat Newbie collection"

[Mike123]

These are the projects so far this year that I've collected.
Hoping they survive. Barberry far right.. Doesn't seem to have that burgundy color that I see in landscape plants. Have had a lot of rain and was in the shade more so then in the sun. Some branches ,a little, have died off. Not many but watching it close. Box is doing good, need more back budding to fill out then prune. Hoping more sun will help.
Can anybody recommend a good fertilizer for newly collected trees?

 

[Beng]

Great job I really like the boxwood.

Kelp "seaweed" is a good fertilizer for young seedlings and plants your trying to establish.

 

[Mike123]

Kelp seaweed

Is that something you can buy readily ? If so, any suggestions?

 

[Beng]

Yep you can find the fish/seaweed type at most garden centers. Here's a link to the kelp I use. http://www.amazon.com/Maxicrop-Liqu...&qid=1371261335&sr=8-1&keywords=maxicrop+kelp

 

[monza]

There's a couple schools of thought on fertilizing newly collected trees, some do some don't?
Then I'm sure that also varries tree to tree. Your trees look pretty good, good luck with them.

 

[Poink88]

I just use miracle grow all purpose (water soluble). Very cheap and available almost everywhere. So far I have no complaints.

 

[Mike123]

Fertilizer

Thanks for input on that. I'll think I'll try the miracle grow!
Any thoughts on very small amount die back. Think has to do with being collected this year? Really not to much but dont want it to spread. Plus Barberry is very green . Was expecting more of a red color but don't know to much about them.

 

[cmeg1]

I love that barberry,looks like a great project.I imagine it will red up in the sun when it finally makes it there.Might get sun shock if it was in the shade,beware.I see them wild in the forest and they are always green in the shade.I bet yours is a cultivar though.

 

[Mike123]

Die back

 

[Mike123]

I love that barberry,looks like a great project.I imagine it will red up in the sun when it finally makes it there.Might get sun shock if it was in the shade,beware.I see them wild in the forest and they are always green in the shade.I bet yours is a cultivar though.

It was in part shade but surrounding trees leafed out and blocked sun.
Moved to afternoon sun . About 4 to 5 hours. I'll watch it.

 

[Poink88]

If I am not mistaken, it turns reddish as it get more sunlight. Almost like a sunscreen and protective reaction to avoid burning. You will see different shades of red depending on where the leaf is...which to me is very cool.

I think I've read Barberries drop branches like that. Other reasons could be due to compromised root supplying the branch or branch damage you did not notice. Over all, it looks minimal so don't sweat it.

 

[Mike123]

Thanks! Great information! That is pretty cool. Sun screen who knew!
Plus with Box. I'm hoping more sun and feeding will promote a lot more growth!

 

[augustine]

I dug a few barberries last year and had the same problem with the dieback but was able to nurse them through. I kept mine in morning sun and afternoon shade. Mine are definitely the cultivated kind and stay burgundy even in shade.

I would not expose yours to afternoon sun. Keep them where they will get some morning exposure. Treat them gently this year. Mine are strong this year (year 2).

As long as it's been 3 to 4 weeks since the roots were cut it's ok to fertilize.

Best,

Augustine
central MD 7a

 

[edprocoat]

Keeping the barberry in the shade is why there is not much red color. In the sun the growth comes out red, I don't know if the existing green growth will turn red or not. I do know that when I trim back to hidden growth that is green it stays green. Read a plant car guide on barberry and it will say " not much water when established " I have found in a pot they use a lot of water. They sure have nice fissured trunks early.

ed

 

[Mike123]

Yeah, I just moved them to afternoon sun. Not an easy task! Two person move. I guess I'll have to find a better spot with morning sun. Have some leaves turning yellow and falling off, big and new leaves. Thought too much water and not enough sun.

 

[Poink88]

Keeping the barberry in the shade is why there is not much red color. In the sun the growth comes out red, I don't know if the existing green growth will turn red or not.

I believe Ed is right.

New growth are more reddish in full sun (as protection & give new growth time to acclimate) and turn green as it gets hardy. This is true to a lot of plants esp the ones that push very fast growth. Not sure if Barberry turn red again when moved to more intense area after.

 

[Eric Group]

How long ago did you collect these?

I would wait until you see new growth before you fertilize much with something as hard core as Miracle grow... And start off with smaller amounts than recommended on the package as a chemical feet like that can lead to the build up of heavy salts an minerals in the sail. They also lack micronutrients and organics that most organic frets like the recommended seaweed, or bone/ blood meal bases might have... I mean miracle grow is FANTASTIC STUFF, I use it all the time in my garden, but try to limit its use on my trees that are potted. They sell Miracle Grow and Osmocote in a pellet form that might be better. This way you are watering nutrients INTO the soil instead of leaching them out with every watering after you fertilize. That lends to more consistent growth, less growth "spurts" and they are not quite as harsh so you have less chance of "burning" your roots.

Again, Miracle Grow is GREAT stuff, for certain applications! If I am growing vegetables or landscape shrubs/ trees/ flowers... I use it almost exclusively. Not saying he is wrong for recommending it, just be careful, especially with newly collected stuff!

The Boxwood has a ton of potential, but so do all your trees! You are off to great start!