Plant Healthcare
Location, Location, Loaction
Often we aren't the ones who planted a tree or plant in a terrible location and we are stuck with the consequences. Whether it's a tree planted under a power line and its about to get hacked to death or it's a full sun plant that was planted in mostly shade and now it's laggy and weak trying to reach for the sun. But often, it really is our fault that a plant was placed in a bad location... Sometimes we have the opportunity to correct these mistakes but sometimes it ends up being the plants demise.
It's incredibly important to consider all the possibilities of a location of a new plant! Things to consider...
• Sun Vs Shade
• Wet Vs Dry
• Wind Vs Protected
• High Traffic areas Vs Secluded
• Direct Vs Indirect Light
• Utilities, like dryer vents, AC unit heat, power lines, water lines, underground lines
• Distance to foundations, siding, driveways, walkways, etc. (will roots interfere)
• Other plant interference, compatibility and competition
• THE MATURE SIZE OF THE PLANT!!
Soil Condition Matters!
Soil is everything in the plant world. Two major topics to be concerned about is Soil Texture and pH.
Soil texture is essentially the composition of sand, silt and clay in your soil. This plays a major role in drainage, nutrient hold capacity and root growth. Contrary to many myths of soil additives, the best thing anyone can do to improve soil texture is by adding organic matter, like compost and soil conditioner mixes.
The second major player in soil is pH, nutrient availability is dependent on the soil pH. Plants require different pH levels because they need more nutrient availability either higher or lower on the pH scale. For example, Iron is only easily available in the soil when the pH is low; or acidic. Some plants require more Iron than others and will only be able to have access to that Iron when the soil pH is low.
Getting the soil right is an essential factor to your tree or plants health. Soil amendments to correct soil texture and soil pH is an easy place to start and could be the solution to a lot of your plants healthcare issues.
Plant Nutrients & Minerals
Organic fertilizer should be a go-to. Every plant has different needs as far as nutrients and minerals. So research is needed to see what amounts of N-P-K (that's Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) a certain plant needs or will thrive best in. While you can use fertilizer exactly as directed and as often as recommended, it is also important to remember that some of the important nutrients and minerals are not readily available if the soil pH is not correct for the plants desires. Another very pure source of nutrients and minerals comes from adding organic matter (compost, worm casting, etc.) to the existing soil.
Always when fertilizing, remember that it's so important to follow instructions and labeling or have fertilizer applied by a professional.