Lazylightningny
Masterpiece
Posted here is an azalea I thought was a goner for sure. Last summer I was digging around the topsoil trying to expose more roots and nebari. I must have nicked the bark at the root base, because a month later, a large crack started up the trunk. Presumably it developed a fungal infection. I sprayed it with daconil, but another month later, dried bark started sloughing off the trunk. All the leaves fell off and I put it away for the winter with little hope for it in the coming spring. Sure enough, by spring it looked pretty dead. The trunk was completely girdled. Not a speck of bark. In March, I chopped it hard and hoped for the best. Picture 1 was taken May 5. No hope, right? But then some buds started popping. Photo 2 was taken June 9. I thought they wouldn't last long. I've seen many trees bud out only to fail and die a month later. But it grew. Photo 3 was taken today, July 18.
I'm amazed, and obviously happy, but dumbfounded at the same time. Water and minerals are obviously getting up to the leaves through the xylem, but how can sugars get back to the roots if there's no bark (phloem)? how can this plant survive without bark? I jave the bottom of the pot cut off and placed on the ground to help absorb excess moisture. I'm sure there are lots of dead roots but i don't date bare root it until next spring. I'm thinking I should just leave it alone.
Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
I'm amazed, and obviously happy, but dumbfounded at the same time. Water and minerals are obviously getting up to the leaves through the xylem, but how can sugars get back to the roots if there's no bark (phloem)? how can this plant survive without bark? I jave the bottom of the pot cut off and placed on the ground to help absorb excess moisture. I'm sure there are lots of dead roots but i don't date bare root it until next spring. I'm thinking I should just leave it alone.
Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated.