Should I Feed my container conifers?
Should i feed my Container Conifers? & if so is Granule food ok for the Job? Jacque, as a general rule conifers do not need feeding, but when growing them in containers it will do no harm to give them a boost especially if the roots are becoming a bit restricted.
How do you plant conifers in pots?
Most conifers prefer sun. Place your container in a position to meet the plant's light requirements, however you may move the pot to a place where it will get some shade during the winter, to help prevent wide swings in soil temperature.
What nutrients do conifers need to grow?
Conifers, like all plants, require 16 elements for normal growth and development. Plants obtain three of these elements; carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, from air and water. These three are not considered when discussing nutrients which must be obtained from the soil.
How do you take care of a conifer tree in the winter?
Mulch the pot to conserve moisture. Water the potted conifer right through the fall and again during any winter thaws. If the container stands in a spot subject to winter winds, move it for the winter or set up a windbreak. Winds can dry the plant's needles. Most conifers prefer sun.
What is the best fertilizer for conifers?
Conifers are not heavy feeders and need only an annual application of a general, complete garden fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 16-8-8, or a top dressing of well-rotted manure. It is best to fertilize in the early spring before the plants break dormancy, or in late fall before the soil freezes.
Is ericaceous feed good for conifers?
Most conifers like an acid soil so incorporate some ericaceous compost into the planting hole. Dig a hole to accommodate the size of the pot and loosen the soil around the sides with a fork; this allows the roots to penetrate easier.
What do conifers need growing?
Growing and Caring for Conifers: Watering and Staking For the first few years in the ground, water when the soil is dry to the touch 1 to 2 inches below the surface. After 3 to 5 years, little to any supplemental water is necessary provided you live in a climate that receives natural rain during the growing season.
Is Miracle Grow good for conifers?
You need to ensure a good water supply for conifers otherwise they tend to go brown and die. You can't cut back into the brown parts when pruning - it doesn't grow back green. However, if you plan to keep them, a general fertilizer will work - Miracle Gro is fine.
Should you feed conifers?
Feeding. Most conifers will thrive without additional feeding. However, for optimum performance, you can apply a general-purpose granular fertiliser in late winter at the rate recommended on the packet. Conifers in containers need liquid feeding from early spring until late summer.
Can you revive a brown conifer?
The main thing to remember is that most conifers will not grow back from old wood. So if you prune them now, you could cut back too far and the plant will never recover. If you really want to give nature a helping hand, you could consider applying a general purpose fertiliser.
How do you keep conifers from turning brown?
Avoid trimming during hot or dry weather or in the autumn (yew can be pruned into early autumn), and never cut into old wood. Trimming two or three times, in April, June and early August, is usually relatively safe.
Why are my conifers going yellow?
Pines drop needles every year, foliage set in previous seasons. It can be quite alarming at first glance with the middle of the plant going yellow to brown before the needles are jettisoned altogether. The sole purpose for a leaf is to harvest sunlight to convert it to food through a process called photosynthesis.
Do conifers like ericaceous soil?
Conifers prefer an acidic soil, ideally a loam that's well-drained. If you have a heavy or poor soil, consider incorporating some ericaceous compost or organic matter such as well-rotted pine needles into the planting hole.
What plants can you feed with ericaceous feed?
Ideal for azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons, Liquid Ericaceous Feed is a concentrated feed with added iron and manganese to encourage the strong, healthy growth of all acid loving plants.
Why is my potted conifer going brown?
Sitting in the small amount of dry soil that fits in a container then, probably isn't ideal. If you're growing a conifer take care to keep it very well watered. More so than you probably expect: sometimes they require watering twice in the same day during particularly hot spells.
What soil is best for conifers?
Most conifers need well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter. Some sand or gritty soil mixed with generous quantities of bark is my favorite mix. Stay away from “potting soil,” which does not drain well and becomes “sludgy” over time. You should also avoid peat moss, which will often cause root rot.
How to keep conifers healthy?
If fertilization or soil pH adjustment is recommended, focus on addressing the principle issue and avoid applying fertilizer elements , especially P and N, if they are not deficient. This will help to keep your conifers looking healthy and protect the environment.
How to diagnose nutrient deficiencies in conifers?
There is a common misconception that nutrient deficiencies can be diagnosed by simply matching the plant symptom to an image in an extension bulletin or website.
What is fertilizer grade?
Fertilizer analysis (or grade) refers to the chemical composition of a fertilizer. By convention, fertilizers are classified by three numbers such as 10-10-10, which represent the amount of N, P, and K in the fertilizer. The first number is the % N in the fertilizer.
How to lower pH in soil?
Conifer gardeners may also apply products such as Holly-tone or Miracid to adjust pH. When using sulfur or fertilizers to lower pH, keep in mind that soil acidication is accomplished by soil microbes.
How tall are Excelsia conifers?
They have lost their vibrant green. I was told by the planter to add nitrogen in the spring. They are all about 3 in diameter and 6-8 ft tall. What fertilizer do you recommend? A local nursery recommended Osmocote.
What are the two nutrients that can be lost in soil?
Also, nitrogen is very dynamic in soils and can be lost by a variety of ways such as leaching, volatilization, and denitrification. Magnesium and potassium can sometimes be limited in sandy soils that have a low cation exchange capacity and, therefore, a low ability to retain these nutrients.
What are the elements that are found in leaf dry weight?
These are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and magnesium. Micronutrients are elements needed in relatively small amounts, sometimes as little as a per million of leaf dry weight or less.
Can conifers grow in the same container?
Keep in mind that many conifers, especially those labeled dwarf, grow quite slowly and will likely be able to remain in the same container for years. In cold regions be sure the container is frost-proof. Be certain the container has drainage holes, and use a potting medium that drains freely, such as a bark-based mix.
Can conifers grow in the sun?
Winds can dry the plant's needles. Most conifers prefer sun. Place your container in a position to meet the plant's light requirements, however you may move the pot to a place where it will get some shade during the winter, to help prevent wide swings in soil temperature.
Can you grow conifers in containers?
In terms of culture, containers can be an asset to gardeners who wish to grow conifers but have less than ideal in-ground conditions. Container gardening allows you to mix a custom growing medium on a small scale and more easily provide adequate drainage and the right amount of moisture.
Do conifers need water?
Conifers require sharp drainage. Research your chosen conifer to learn about how much water it needs. Keep in mind that containers dry out more quickly than the ground, so you may need to water more frequently. Mulch the pot to conserve moisture.
What are the pests that attack conifers?
Pests such as whitespotted sawyer, Bark beetles and the Douglas-fir tussock moth are insects that aggressively attacks conifers, leaving some for dead and deforming a reasonably large percentage.
How far apart should I plant conifer cuttings?
If you decide to propagate, take semi ripe cuttings from a healthy conifer at reasonable distance of 10-15 cm from a step to a leaf joint. Late winter is the best period to harvest cuttings. After that, you dip the cuttings in a hormonal treatment before putting in a planting medium.
Do conifers need soil?
Conifers do not require much from the soil and can thrive even in poor soil but it wouldn’t hurt to help them grow healthily by providing the right nutrients to the soil. All plants need soil nutrients in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium . Conifers may benefit from water soluble 10-10-10 or 16-8-8 garden fertiliser.
Starting on a Boxed Conifer Journey
I moved back to Silverton, OR, about four years ago, after I lost Michael to cancer. My new living space is a 2nd-floor apartment with a 10-square foot deck. I wondered how I might landscape that space. “Plant in boxes”, was my answer.
Selecting Conifer Genera for Container Gardening
Two boxes are 2 feet x 3 feet by 1-foot high. A third container measures 3 feet by 16 inches and is also 1-foot high. I have also added many ceramic pots to accommodate even more plants. I planted 10 different conifer genera.
Conifer Boxing Up with Pines
What conifer garden would be complete without pines? Pinus mugo ‘Real Little’ (Real Little mountain pine) is sweet and compact. ‘Little Gold Star’ shines like the sun. ‘ Jakobsen ’ looks like an in-ground bonsai. Lastly, Pinus parviflora ‘Tanima no yuki’ (Snow in the Valley Japanese white pine) is perfect for a “boxed” landscape.
A Conifer Deck to Pine For
My greatest inspiration for creating a small conifer container landscape was The Oregon Garden, here in Silverton. ACS member Doug Wilson, who manages the conifer garden and has so much knowledge and artistic talent, has been a huge influence on me.
Join the ACS and get in the Zone!
Join the ACS to support our scholarships, grants, conservation efforts, and hang out with the Coneheads.
How to keep conifers happy in containers?
To keep conifers happy in containers plant them in appropriately sized pots with well-draining potting soil. Because the pots are surrounded by air, they reflect air temperature, both heating up in summer and freezing in winter.
Why are conifers grown in containers?
Conifers grown in containers have limited root space compared with trees in the ground whose roots are surrounded by insulating soil. It's important to have sufficiently large pots to maintain enough moisture to keep the trees and their roots cool and functioning properly.
How do I remove a potted plant?
Remove the plant from its old pot and put it into a container of water and swish around to wash off the old potting soil. Examine the roots for color and texture. The roots should be light in color and firm. Trim off any roots that are dark and squishy. Put into the new pot with fresh potting soil and water well.
How often should I water a potted tree?
Trees in pots need regular and deep watering. In really hot weather they may need watering once a day, or even more. An annual fertilization with organic or another slow-release fertilizer will keep them growing well.
Can you grow trees in containers?
A: Your trees have damage on the side facing the sun. You've successfully grown them in containers for a couple of years, which is good, but the move exposing them to harsh afternoon sun has not agreed with them.
What is a conifer tree?
Conifers are ornamental trees that are easily recognised by their distinctive needle-like foliage. They are ancient plants that pre-date the dinosaurs. These plants have changed little over Millenia, as witnessed by fossilised specimens found in more recent times.
Why are conifers called conifers?
The name conifer has been given to these trees because they produce cones (or cone-like fruits) although there are some that break the rule and have berries. The seed-bearing (female) cones are often quite large and woody - the traditional pinecone is perhaps the best example.
What color do conifers turn in autumn?
Some plants may also have tinges of bronze over the cooler months. The deciduous conifers often colour brilliantly in Autumn.
How tall are deciduous conifers?
The deciduous conifers often colour brilliantly in Autumn. Conifers range in height, from spreading groundcovers of 30cm, through compact shrubs around a metre or so, to forest giants of 120 metres or more. Apart from the groundcovers, most form a fairly symmetrical pyramid shape. Medium height shrubs are ideal for topiary and hedging.
What is the best shrub for topiary?
Medium height shrubs are ideal for topiary and hedging. Many of the larger conifers like cypress and pines may make great garden plants while they are young but they should be avoided if you live in an urban area.
What is the best soil for a tree?
Well-drained loam is best; poor soils can be improved with compost. Soil should be slightly acidic: pH 5.5–6. Add a six-month controlled-release fertiliser suitable for trees and shrubs to the base of the planting hole; cover lightly with soil to prevent direct contact with roots.
Do conifers regrow from old wood?
How to prune conifers. Unlike most trees and shrubs, conifers do not regrow from old wood. If you cut back hard, exposing the branches behind the foliage, you will be left with bare patches. Not a good look!