What will you do different next year?

[Beng]

So far this year on the eaat coast during the first 6 months we've had more rain then we usually get in a entire year. Several states are close to records for the year with 60+ inches. Hurricane season is just getting started so we are sure to come close to doubling our yearly rainfall by the end of summer. What does that mean for us with this constant tropical humidity and huge amount of rain?

Next year I may double the amount of light material in my soil like pumice. I think my usually mix of approx 1/3 akadama, 1/3 pumice, 1/3 lava is too heavy now. It's holding too much water on a day to day basis with constant on and off rain. Will you modify your recipe as well or do you think this year is just a freak of nature.

Next year I will also start the increased fungicide treatments I've been using this summer earlier which means biweekly spraying from early spring to early summer, increasing to weekly during the rainy summer.

Do you plan to so anything different next year?

 

[JudyB]

Be careful changing your soil content on one years weather patterns. Last year we had a huge drought here, this year far too much rain. If you change your mix to a better draining mix, just make sure you can be a watering machine if it's hot and dry.

So far the only things that I will do, is to do preventative fungus spraying earlier, and better winter cleanup.

 

[davetree]

I made changes to my soil mixture this year. It is very cold and wet in the spring here, and humid in the summer. I sifted everything for the first time and used larger particle sizes. I also introduced some Gro Rocks and Dyna Rock into my mix for their oxygen carrying capacity.

The results have been good. I have had to water more on hot days but not that much more. I have seen no black spot on my elms, which has been my nemesis before. Strangely I have not seen any scale on my elms, usually I find it on at least a few trees.

My Japanese and trident maples have no leaf burn. The leaves are perfect.

I have not had to use a fungicide for the first time in years even though we have had such a wet humid spring.

So, for me, an improved mix has improved the health of my trees.

 

[dick benbow]

always one to question a thread's trend, I wonder about changing a mixture the tree has adjusted to over the years. if the soil and weather BOTH change, doesn't that put the tree in a difficult transistion from what it's already adjusted to?

I'm more worried where I'm gonna find any akadama for my standardard mixture of 1/3 each of akadama,pummice, and volcanic rock. ( I also slip in about 10% of charcoal ). This has worked perfectly here in my seattle home where wet springs, falls and winter has been the norm. As things begin to dry out with climate change, slowly becoming more noticeable, the standard mixture from before continues to work just fine.

 

[Beng]

always one to question a thread's trend, I wonder about changing a mixture the tree has adjusted to over the years. if the soil and weather BOTH change, doesn't that put the tree in a difficult transistion from what it's already adjusted to?

I'm more worried where I'm gonna find any akadama for my standardard mixture of 1/3 each of akadama,pummice, and volcanic rock. ( I also slip in about 10% of charcoal ). This has worked perfectly here in my seattle home where wet springs, falls and winter has been the norm. As things begin to dry out with climate change, slowly becoming more noticeable, the standard mixture from before continues to work just fine.

I don't think doubling the pumice will affect things negatively. I set up a fairly complex watering system this year so on hot days I can turn it on and easily water 3 times a day if necessary. I'm not going to pull everything out of their pots and repot. Only those that I think would benefit from a more aerated spil like crabapples, junipers, tridents, and hawthorn. My pines are already in a mix similar to this.