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Seminars, Trees Shrubs Evergreens

Plant Focus: Trees Part Two

Posted on by Brandi
Plant Focus: Trees Part Two
05
Jun
Hey! How’s it growing?

I’m sure you’re busy growing beautiful things right now in the garden! Feel free to reach out to us on social media and share your garden! We’d love to see what you’ve been up to and spread some inspiration to the community.

Thank you to everyone who joined our webinar on trees this week. We love hanging out with you and talking about plants. Yes, we’re total nerds! If you missed out, check out the encore presentation now available on YouTube. If you would like to reference Colin’s PowerPoint about trees, click here: Plant Focus: Trees Part Two

Let’s recap important stuff from today’s tree focused webinar

Parts of a Tree
  • Roots
  • Trunk / Stem
  • Branches
  • Twigs
  • Foliage (Leaves / Needles)
  • Flowers / Fruits
All of these elements support each other and have a purpose. Types of Trees
  • Coniferous – Mostly evergreen, cone-bearing, needly-bearing, softwood, and drought tolerant.
  • Deciduous – Broadleaf foliage, leaf-shedding, bears flowers, hardwood, prefer moisture
    • Fruit Tree: Produce fruit that humans consume (Apply, Cherry, Pear, etc)
    • Flowering Tree: Produces fruit that is not for human consumption (Ash, Cotoneaster, etc)
Spring / Summer Tree Care Inspect
  • Look for disease, signs of stress or drought,
  • Look for insects – good and bad
    • If you have an abundance of good bugs, perhaps you have a bigger issue like aphids
  • Look for structure
    • test the strength of your branches. Are there any abnormal growths anywhere?
  • Look for dangers
    • Is there a branch that could hurt someone?
Prune
  • Make sure it’s the right time to prune. Each tree will be different, but most trees will take a late fall/early winter pruning.
  • Use clean and sharp tools
  • The Five D’s
    • Dead
    • Diseased
    • Damaged
    • Dangerous
    • Desirable
  • Do not use paint if you’ve properly pruned.
  • Cut to the bud or collar
Fertilize
  • Develop a fertilizer program
    • Use a suitable fertilizer for your specific tree (fruit tree, evergreen, etc)
    • Follow the instructions – do not over fertilizer
    • Use a fertilizer that best suits your lifestyle
      • Fertilizer Spikes: Insert into the soil for a slow-release fertilizer directly into the root system.
      • Water-soluble: Mix with water to control when your tree receives fertilizer. Follow instructions.
      • Shake n Feed: Shake this slow-release fertilizer on top of the soil. Over time, water will permeate it.
  • Stop fertilizing mid-August as your tree begins its transition into hibernation.
Water
  • Watch your tree. It will tell you when it needs water. Are the leaves starting to droop? Has it been really hot lately?
  • Sprinklers aren’t the best for watering trees.
    • Set up a soaker hose around the tree to evenly saturate it for a
    • Best option: Root Feeder. This hooks up to your hose. Its waters and fertilizes your tree at the root level to save water!
  • Fruit trees will require more water as they are high-producing!
  • Water until the ground is frozen
    • Even if your tree’s leaves have all fallen in autumn, there are still processes continuing under the ground that will benefit from a watering!
Mulch (if applicable)
  • Mulch helps to regulate temperature, retain moisture, prevent weeds, and amend the soil.
  • There are so many options which you can find here
  • Do not apply too much mulch. A thin layer is sufficient enough to benefit your tree. Too much will trap water and invite pathogens to harm the tree.


I hope some of these tips will help you in raising strong and beautiful trees for years to come. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Reach out on social media, by phone, or in-store. We’re plant nerds who just want to talk about plants!

Happy gardening!

Brandi
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Calcium Nitrate:

Mix Ratio: Apply ¼ teaspoon per 2 litres once a week. I full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended preventing blossom end rot and calcium deficiency in tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchinis, and cannabis. It is also highly beneficial for all leafy greens and cruciferous plants (cabbage, Brussel sprouts, broccoli etc.).

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Iron Chelate

Mix Ratio: Soil drench – apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix ratio: Foliar spray - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 4 Litres of water once every 4 weeks. A full scoop makes 24 litres or 6 gallons.

Recommended for correcting iron deficiency in a variety of plants grown in high pH soil. Iron deficiency is diagnosed by the yellowing or pale colour of the plant leaves, especially in young growth.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

High Drainage

Moisten Thoroughly before use: (optional) Peat moss can be water-repellent. Before use, thoroughly wet the soil.

Potting:

Use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.

Fill the pot with the moistened soil, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more soil.

Firm the soil gently.

Watering:

This is crucial! Water frequently, especially during hot weather.

Check the soil moisture regularly by sticking your finger into the soil.

Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is low in nutrients, fertilize regularly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Consider Amendments:

For plants that prefer more moisture retention, you can add a small amount of coco coir or vermiculite to the mix.

Important Notes:

Overwatering: While frequent watering is necessary, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Plant Selection: This type of soil is well-suited for seed starting as well as plants that prefer well-drained conditions, such as cacti, cannabis, succulents, and some tropical plants.

Adjustments: You may need to adjust your watering frequency based on the specific plant and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sunlight).

Alberta Blend

Moisten the Peat Moss before use: (optional) Peat moss can be hydrophobic (water-repellent) when dry. Before using it, thoroughly moisten it. You can do this by placing it in a container and adding water, then squeezing out any excess.

Mixing: (optional) Our Private Label Alberta Blend comes ready to use, expertly formulated for your plants, either indoors or outdoors.

If you're using this mix as your own base, combine it with worm castings, volcanic dust, vermiculite, etc. to improve nutrition, drainage and/or aeration.

Potting:

When potting your plants, ensure that the pot has drainage holes.

Fill the pot with the moistened potting mix, leaving enough space for the plant's root ball.

Gently place the plant in the pot and fill in around it with more potting mix.

Lightly firm the soil around the plant leaving ½ inch to an inch of space at the top for watering.

Watering:

Because peat moss retains water, be careful not to overwater.

Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again.

Fertilizing:

Since peat moss is nutrient-poor, you'll need to provide your plants with regular fertilization.

Use the correct fertilizer according to the plant's needs.

20-20-20 Houseplant Complete

Mix Ratio: For all houseplants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week once every week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

It is highly recommended to start your houseplants on a fertilizer regime, but only while they are actively growing. Houseplants tend to have a period of dormancy (normally winter, however poinsettias, Xmas cacti etc. are exceptions to this rule) and whilst dormant they should not be fertilized.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

22-6-15 Plus Herb and Leafy Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all herbaceous and leafy vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This fertilizer is ideal for all leafy vegetables and for herbs. This product can be used year-round if you grow herbs indoors.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

20-12-28 Tomato and Fruiting Vegetable

Mix Ratio: For all fruiting vegetable plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water once a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Use this fertilizer on planting day and push right through until the plant either stops producing or reaches the end of season. In the case of transplanted seedlings this fertilizer should be used after the 2 feedings of Js - Jump-Start & Transplant.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

10-52-10 Jump-Start & Transplant

Mix Ratio: For outdoor summer plants apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Normally two applications, one at the time of transplanting, the second application can be done one week later from the initial fertilizing. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

Mix Ratio: For seed starting - apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water. Do not over water seedlings, feed every 2 weeks until transplanted outside. Feed them at the time of transplanting outdoors, then one more feeding a week later. After that start using the correct fertilizer for type of plant. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

 e.g. Vt Vegetable: Tomato and Fruiting for tomatoes, F3 Flower flower flower for bedding out/annual plants.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

4-5-28 Perennial Complete

Mix Ratio: All perennials (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks from spring to late summer. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your perennials. For existing perennials, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. new shoots etc.). For new perennials we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

28-14-14 Plus Trees and Shrubs - Fruit and Flower

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water per week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

14-7-21 Tree and Shrub Leaf & Needle

Mix Ratio: Trees and/or shrubs (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water every 2 weeks. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your evergreen/coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs.

For existing trees, we recommend starting to fertilize when you see active growth (i.e. bud break, new shoots etc.).

For new trees we recommend that you start fertilizing at time of planting and go through to mid August.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

15-10-30 Flower, Flower, Flower

Mix Ratio: Outdoor plants (in warm seasons) apply ¼ teaspoon (1gram) /per 1 Litre of water twice a week. A full scoop makes 12 litres or 3 gallons.

This formula is professionally blended for all your annual plants. We recommend starting to fertilize at time of planting outdoors and go through to first frost.

Caution: Do not exceed the recommended amount. Keep out of reach of children and pets.