HELPFUL HINTS ON HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY PLANT NEWLY PURCHASED NURSERY STOCK.
Your new plants should be installed as soon as possible. If there is some delay in planting, then it is important to guard against moisture loss. Store plants in a shady, wind protected location and keep root area evenly moist.
Handle plants gently and use the container or root ball to move the plant. Never hold onto the plant itself. Be sure to place your plants in their preferred growing environment for best results.
Balled and Burlap
Many trees, shrubs and evergreens have the root ball wrapped in burlap and secured with string or rope. Large sizes have the ball contained in a wire basket. These must be planted just the way they are: burlap, rope and wire basket too. Fill around the ball with a good soil mix to three quarters and water thoroughly. Then untie all string or rope from the trunk or stems. Fold back burlap and ropes and tuck down out of sight. If there is a wire basket, fold back the loops and push down, leaving the wire
basket hidden, but in place. Add more good soil mix to fill the hole. Water again using a root stimulating transplant fertilizer. Dress the planting area with mulch to conserve moisture. Trees should be staked securely for one full year.
SIZE OF PLANTING HOLE
We suggest digging the planting hole at least twice the width of the root ball to allow for soil enrichments before planting.
When planting large heavy balls, the soil at the bottom of the hole should be left solid to prevent the tree from settling lower. The
finished level of the tree should be the same as it was grown, or up to 8 cm (3”) higher (see illustration).
|
|
HOW TO HANDLE VARIOUS PLANT CONTAINERS
Fibre Pots
PLEASE LEAVE THE POT ON! This is extremely important and serves to keep the root zone intact until the plant becomes established. These pots are made of paper which will eventually rot away in the soil and yet are readily penetrated by healthy plant roots. Break the pot rim down to the soil level and make three cuts halfway up from the bottom. DO NOT REMOVE THE BOTTOM OF THE POT. Fill in around the pot with a good soil mix such as Humber 3-in-1 Mix. Water thoroughly with a root stimulating transplant fertilizer.
Plastic Pots
Water thoroughly before removing the container (Figure A). If a light tapping on sides and bottom does not release the soil, make two cuts the length of the pot on opposite sides and gently pull away the halves (Figure B). Use your fingers or a knife to gently loosen and spread exposed roots that appear crowded. To free very matted or circling roots, make several vertical cuts ½ to 1 inch deep through the root mass.
ROSES
Roses may be in fibre or plastic pots. Since most roses are grafted or budded onto a root stock, the grafted area (which will be the swollenarea just below where the stems originate) must be planted 2 inches below the final soil level. Most roses will benefit from this increased protection.
For Rhododendrons, Azaleas and other Evergreens increase the amount of sphagnum peat moss used by half.
Peaches, nectarines and cherries demand excellent fast drainage. DO NOT plant in wet areas. DO NOT over water.
 |