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Saturday Webinars | Trees ll

Posted on by Brandi
Saturday Webinars | Trees ll
04
Jun

Hello gardener!

Keep your trees healthy with practices like inspection, pruning, fertilizing, and watering. They’ll thank you by producing fragrant flowers and delicious fruit. An apple picked fresh off the tree tastes sweeter, doesn’t it? Let’s get you there.

What is a Tree

Trees live long lives and are key to life on Earth. They provide food, shelter, beauty, oxygen, and so much more.

  • Parts of a Tree
    • Roots – Take up nutrients from the soil. Lateral, Hairs, Tap.
    • Trunk – Supports the tree and ensuring safe passage of nutrients.
    • Crown – Branches, foliage, flowers, fruit
  • Types of Trees
    • Deciduous (Leaf-bearing) & Coniferous (cone-bearing)
    • Edible Fruit & Flowering
    • Columnar (Tall) & Spreading (low)
    • Form (Aesthetic) & Function (Wind breaking, privacy, etc)

Care & Maintenance

Pruning

    • The 5 D’s
      • Dead: prune visibility dead branches that aren’t undergoing active growth.
      • Diseased: prune diseased branches and ensure the effected branches are disposed of and tools are cleaned to avoid spread.
      • Damaged: prune bent branches and those that may have sustained damage over the winter.
      • Dangerous: prune any branches that are blocking pathways, damaging property, etc.
      • Desirable: prune to a desirable shape.
    • How to Prune? There is a helpful diagram on Colin’s PowerPoint presentation found at the bottom of this blog.
    • Tools: Ensure you have the correct tool for the job. No injuries here! Remember, gardening should be fun. We have a large selection of Pruning Tools. Big or small, whatever you need.

Inspection

Catch harmful activity before it’s irreversible. Look for…

  • Disease – Are there unusual spots on your leaves or any other visible signs of disease?
  • Insects – Good bugs, like spiders and lady bugs, may be reacting to an increase in harmful pests like aphids or flys. Bad bugs like wasps, may be reacting to an open wound on your tree.
  • Branch strength – Apply light pressure on your branches to ensure they bounce back and don’t snap off.
  • Abnormal growth
  • Signs of stress – Is your tree blooming later than others? Are your leaves drooping and changing colour too early?
  • Other dangers – Look for powerlines that may be impacted by branches, or roots that are sticking out of ground that may pose a tripping hazard.

Fertilizing

A fertilizer program should be started immediately in the spring and go until August. Anything after that will promote growth when the tree is trying to wind down for the winter. Do not over fertilize. Less is more. Follow the directions on each individual fertilizer.

While there are lots of selection in our fertilizer department for trees and shrubs, here are some helpful brands to narrow it down.

Fertilizer mediums

  • Water Soluble – Colin’s pick. Apply when watering plants. This methods ensures the plant is receiving an even amount of fertilizer.
    • During the webinar, it was asked if fish emulsion fertilizer could be used, and the answer is yes!
  • Granular – Apply fertilizer by hand to the soil lightly mix in. Slow release fertilizer that breaks when watering. If using fertilizer stakes

Watering

A soaker hose/drip hose is the best way to water trees as it targets the root system near the drip line. There is a helpful diagram on the PowerPoint that illustrates what the drip line is. High production trees that fruit & flower will require more water. Continue to water until the ground freezes in the fall.

Mulching

Not required, but good to have on your trees. Make sure to not pile up the mulch like a volcano. You want to create a crater so the trunk is exposed at the bottom. Not doing this will weaken the trunk as water will consistently sit around it and invite pathogens.

 

The more detailed encore presentation hosted by Colin Hayles is now available to view on our YouTube channel.

If you’d like a copy of Colin’s PowerPoint, click here: Golden Acre Webinars – Tree II 2022

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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.