Chionanthus virginicus trouble

I just got this young tree a couple of weeks ago. It is less than a foot tall and it had green leaves on it at the time of arrival. I potted it up with native acidic soil with a little soil conditioner added. After that, it didn't take long for the leaves to start to turn brown and now have started to turn purple-brown. What did I do wrong and can it be fixed?
I did have it in full sun until I noticed the leaves changing color. Then I moved it to half sun and shade. Shade during the hottest part of the day from about noon to 6.
After not finding anything on the matter in my research at first, I kept at it and now I am wondering something. Let me know what you think about this:
Since it is so young, and our weather being on the rather cool side, 48-50 for the low and mid to upper 60's for the high, could it be thinking that it is time to go into hibernation??

This message was edited May 31, 2013 11:03 PM

They need moist soil - if your area is arid, you'll have to compensate for that with added water. It sounds like it's in shock, and if you've got it in a partial shade spot, I'd leave it there - try not to move it again. Keep it well-watered and hope it pulls through.

Well, it is in a pot so moving it is not an issue like digging it up. I have it planted in moist soil even though we are in an arid climate. Seems as though that acidic native soil is more moisture retentive than I thought. I will keep an eye on it.

Did it come bare-root? And are you sure your native soil is acidic? (Growing up in SE Colorado, I always thought most soil in the western states is naturally alkaline.)

Naturally alkaline, yes. But that is assuming you don't have mature conifers on your property. I took the soil from under a couple of them.
Yes, it did come bare root.

Please understand I'm not a soil expert by any means, but my understanding is that conifers don't change the soil pH by much, regardless of their longevity, so if you've tested it and know it's acidic, then you are well ahead of me; if not, I'd probably have it tested and/or assume the worst and replace it with some bagged soil that is guaranteed to be neutral, then add a bit of acidifier to push it in the right direction. If you can find a bag of pine fines with or without mushroom compost (aka "soil conditioner" around here) it's a great organic product that helps with soil texture, and probably also increases the acidity of the soil.

Ok. thanks.

This message was edited Jun 2, 2013 1:02 PM

This message was edited Jun 2, 2013 1:05 PM

IF your growing the small tree in a pot, I would go to the garden store and buy a bag of compost for acid loving plants as the compost will have the right mix and all the nutrients required for the first year or two, I would find it hard to expect a small tree that has lost all it's leaves in such a short space of time to recover in time for the real growing period, especially if were playing around with this that and the next thing.

If the plant requires acidic soil it need it more or less instantly at such a young age, older tree's could be far more tolerant of adjustment to soil, light, shade ect, but a young Bare root tree really has not got that luxury.

I would remove the tree from the pot, stick it in a bucket of water for a couple of hours so the roots can take up as much moisture in that time, prepare the pot with the shop compost and replant the tree in this, water the pot well, make sure there is good drain holes in the bottom of the pot to allow excess water to escape, bare in mind, soil of any type in pots dries out much faster than soil in the garden beds /borders so maybe IF you can add a small plastic drinks bottle and cut the bottom off and throw away the cap, sink the bottle small end (cap) into the soil with about an inch above the top of the soil then as you water the pot, fill the bottle up a couple of times and this will get the water down to the root area better than watering a little each time. it also helps with adding feed to the roots better than sprinkling on the top of soil, but only feed when required as over feeding can kill plants too and burn roots.

I do agree that the plant has also gone into shock so to help this, once you plant it up in good quality acidic soil, dont keep moving the plant around the garden it need time to settle into it's new environment, give it part sun/ shade and leave alone except for watering, only water when needed, stick your finger into the soil and if dry, water, if damp, dont. maybe add a few larger pebbles to dress the top of the soil in the pot as this also helps retain some moisture in the soil too.
Good luck and best regards.
WeeNel.

No leaves have been lost. They haven't even shriveled. Just changed colors.
I do see new growth though I don't know when the growth period is.
Thank you for your suggestions WeeNel and Terry. You brought up some good points. Right now, I am just keeping an eye on it since otherwise it looks fine.

It would be good if you could post some pictures of this plant, and the progression of what it looks like - say, every week or so.

Each pic will save 1000 of your words...

Ha ha ha. There is new green growth on it that started last week and it looks like it is coming around. But I think once a month is more realistic as there aren't that many if any changes from week to week. Typically. I guess I should have done that from the beginning.

You didn't say where you received this plant from, so I'm hesitant to express my opinion.

No, I'm not. I think you have a dogwood (Cornus sp.) of some sort there, NOT a Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus).

That doesn't change any of the good advice expressed above, but it should change your expectations of this plant.

As you continue to provide additional imagery, my suspicions should be borne out - or contradicted.

I'd have to agree with Viburnum Valley - that definitely looks like a dogwood. Here's a closeup of the leaves of a C. virginicus - note their length, glossiness, and how they tend to lift upward: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/332364

Those leaves in your pic look a lot like one of my newly planted kousa dogwoods that is showing some signs of stress from sun, heat and transplanting (the other two are in more shaded spots, and have remained darker green.)

Hmmmmm. That can be a problem then. I will have to do some research along that angle, with it possibly being a dogwood.
Thanks a lot.

Serviceberry?

Not an Amelanchier sp. - this plant clearly displays oppositely arranged foliage.

I guess now I need to switch this to the plant ID forum. lol Any ideas on how to do that?

Here's a link to the Plant Identification Forum:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/plantid/all/

Thanks very much, but is there any way to transfer this thread to there? Do I have to repost in the ID forum?

You do have to post it again on the ID Forum.

Just post your picture(s) there, and begin with your question. You can link this thread there, if you'd like.

Great idea! Thank you.