Moved in the Heat...

On Sunday, we just moved a sand cherry ... weed.... bush from a planter that was built into a retaining wall that we are moving/repairing. We dug as much as we were willing to and then took pruners and cut the large roots, and there were some large one. It was about 6 feet tall and as wide.

Then I pruned about 1/3 off and we placed it on a tarp dragged it to its new home and planted it into a bed of composted horse manure mixed with composted wood chips. Then I watered it with the sprinkler from 8 am to 3 pm. I left it alone yesterday and now I am wondering......

How much water, and how often? Do I give it root stimulator or is that manure compost enough of what it needs? How good of a survivor is that shrub?

It did not cost me but 3 bucks to start, it is just that it has such a nice size, colour, and shape.

You can see it in the background of this picture up into that 'retaining wall' that is about to be destroyed.

Thanks for any advise. It is in the high 90's here and no rain in sight!!!!

This message was edited Aug 14, 2007 6:54 AM

A lot of people swear by Super Thrive for transplants, so it's definitely worth trying some of that or another root booster (just make sure it's only a root booster, not fertilizer, fertilizing stressed plants is not a great idea). As far as water--the frequency is going to depend a lot on your soil, the best thing to do is stick your finger down a few inches in the soil and see if it still feels wet, if it does then don't water, but if it's feeling dry then give it a good drink. Don't water based on visually observing wilting or else you could wind up overwatering it--especially in the heat, recently transplanted plants' roots can't take up enough water to keep the top from wilting even if there's plenty of water in the soil. So make sure you're checking the soil to see if it needs water. Getting the watering right is the most important thing you can do to increase its chances of survival, the other thing you could try if it gets full sun during the heat of the day is try to rig up something to shade it, that will help too.

Yes you have chosen a tough move time. I will also believe that it has a chance. I don't move anything in Aug or Sept because our relative humidity is 5 to 8 %. Your high humidity will help the transpiration. I would have used a phosphate additive in the deep soil prior to placing the tree and used compost or peat to hold more moisture. Other wise I would do as ecrane says and water 2 X daily and mulch the soil over the transplant. Oh sing to the tree and give it kind supportive encouragement. It will want to live!

If it's in the sun, it would help if you could rig up some artificial shade for it until this heat wave is over. Misting it several times daily might help also.

soferdig - glad to hear that you too add phosphate to the bottom of the hole when you transplant. I have acid-sandy soil which is notorius for being deficient in phosphorus. Adding a 1/4 cup or so of super phosphate and mixing it into the soil at the bottom of the hole is my "transplant insurance policy"! I think that in neutral or loamy soils phosphate is still a good additive, particularly for blooming shrubs, but probably ought to be used a little more sparingly. There is some science out there that is starting to show that excess phosphorus interferes with the indigineous soil mycorrhizae. However, soil mycorrhizae are "hot" right now in soil science. They really don't have the full picture yet. Next, probably the soil scientists will "discover" that composted manure is beneficial and we will come full circle with fertilizer science.

I heartily agree that misting, shading and especially never letting the roots dry out will be critical.

If I sang to any of my plants it would mean certain death for the plant.

Did you Cut The Tap Root ? Paul

hmmmm, I have no idea but I did cut about four fairly large roots that were out from the root ball. I had no other way to get it out.

The soil is very, well rich would be the word. It has composted wood chips and horse manure/pee that has composted a min. of 1 year and some of it up to 10 years. There is a horse farm near here that is getting rid of their compsot pile from where they cleaned the stalls and dumped it behind the barn. It is the most amazing soil!!! Ok...I wanted to say..sh**.

I will say this....I AM NOT STICKING MY FINGER INTO IT. Not in a way to feel the water. LOL. It gets morning shade, sun from 1 pm to about 5 pm and then shade again. So far it does look wilty on top but ok.

I have some root stimulator and was worried about putting it into the area because of all the composted manure being so rich. But I will go water it in well with root stimulator then.

I promise pictures....my dog passed away this morning so it has been a bad day for everything. The last picture I have of him is the area where the tree went so I will post it in his memory......I took it 2 weeks ago. He was my gardening pal.

This message was edited Aug 14, 2007 8:45 PM

Dovebydesign - I am so sorry that your little baby passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Let me find a poem for you!
Big Hugs - Kellie

I lost a special friend today
the kind you can't replace,
and looking at her empty bed
I still can see her face.

I see the endless energy
the sparkling puppy eyes,
Not the tired, fragile friend
I had to bid goodbye.

I know she's in a special place
our Lord has for such friends,
Where meadows, fields & flowers
help make them strong and whole again.

I remember how she'd run to me
to play her favorite puppy game,
And how her ears would perk right up
When she heard me call her name.

But as those precious years went by
we both aged and grew,
I'd find her often slowing down
But-we had still so much to do.

Easter stands out in my mind,
As she would always find the eggs.
The kids would have their baskets full
And she'd be there to beg.

Then there was the Christmas tree
with lots of candy canes,
As she devoured all she could
Surely, hoping it'd still look the same!

She did her guard dog duty well
Each time the doorbell rang,
Strangers surely couldn't see
My gentle friend--behind those fangs.

I've noticed in the recent times
Her ears were not as sharp,
Where is that running ball of fur,
The years have shown their mark.

She started sleeping next to me
Was this her special clue,
Because she felt the end was near
I only wish I knew.

My Mitzie was a special dog
I know she gave her best,
But as I looked deep into her eyes
I knew it was time, for her to rest.

It will truly be a struggle
I don't know how I'll face each day,
I have to let her go--I know
But in my heart she'll always stay.

This special place our Lord has made
Health and strength, wait for her there,
So with my very special friend
I'm sending all my prayers.

I know she's watching over me.
She'll be with me when I cry.
So with one more kiss on her beloved head
I told my Mitzie Dog goodbye.

Bad day, week, month, year when you lose your gift of unconditional love. Sorry dovebydesign. Steve

Oh, gosh darn. Losing your dog is hard, hard, hard. It's such a blow even when you think you're prepared. He looked very much loved in that photo.
Take a little time for yourself.

Thank you so much for your kind words. He was a special friend.

I was out looking at my tree this morning and it looks pretty good. I guess time will tell.

Susan

Here is the tree......after I moved it taken today, am.

Here is a closer view

Here is the soil.....

Did I really just post a picture of composted manure?

Any advise is appreciated. I am still unsure if I should add the root stimulator because of the manure being so nutrient rich. Is it different then? A hormone not a fertilizer? And what brands would one suggest. I always have used plain Mircale Grow Root Stimulator in spring when I plant baskets etc. Is this the same stuff?

Dovebydesign, I am so sorry for your loss! The above poem says it all! We had two chows each for fourteen years that passed away a few years ago. It takes time to heal. I thought I would never get used to they're being gone, but happy memories still linger after all of this time. Even the grandchildren will say, " I miss Bear Bear, or Chelsea" and they were so little when they passed away.

We do understand and feel your loss. Do take some time for yourself.

dovebedesign - If I was a shrub/tree and I had to be moved in the summer I would want to be moved by you. My personal preference is Schultz Starter Plus Root Stimulator and transplanting Solution. It is more expensive. But, having planted large beds starting out with Miracle Grow Root Stimulator and finishing up with Schultz I can honestly say it is superior. Pricey, but superior. It wouldn't hurt. The manure is going to add mostly nitrogen, while the transplant solutions supply a lot of other goodies. But, if things are looking good and you can keep it hydrated, maybe just let it be. How's the singing thing working out for ya?

The singing, well I leave that to the birds!! I have plenty of them nearby because of feeding stations.

I think that time tested manure is going to always be a gardeners best friend, no matter what it is. But of course I am using 1 - 10 year old compost. It has been composted with wood chips. So I think that the 'soil' is excellent for the tree. It is holding the moisture wonderfully. I hadf planted a hosta into it 2 weeks prior to moving the bush as a test. The hosta is not only surviving but thriving in this. So that is why I went ahead and moved the shrub into it.

I will put the stimulator on tomorrow morning. I had also used Messenger on the bush in the spring to build its immune system and strengthen it. I stopped that in July to allow for a more dormant time during high heat.