Can't figure out whats wrong with my dogwood

16 years ago

HI All..I bought this dogwood at Lowes for a dollar. I typically buy things on clearance..thinking that I get them 'back to life.' This approach usually works for me..but I cant seem to clear up whatever is. I sprayed it several times with Ortho system insect killer and disease control. Any ideas? It's been in the ground now for about a month and a half. Even the buds which form, seem to brown on the ends. I love this little tree and I want to see it survive :) Thanks!!!!

Sorry this photo is sideways!

{{gwi:436857}}

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Comments (6)

jean001
16 years ago
Drought stress.

How much water do you give it? And how often? And where do you apply it?

The water needs to get into the original rootball. One way to do that is to build a low dike at the edge of the rootball and fill it every day.
janinecollette
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your reply! I have been watering it about every other day.. but I guess it should be more. :) I water directly into the root ball.. I suppose I should be watering everyday!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
as a tree .. it should be allowed to nearly dry between waterings...

you should insure that the root ball has gotten water... and then not water again until it begins to dry ... more water can actually be more harmful than to little water ...

and ... as in the dahlia post.. its fall .. its shutting down for the season ... i would suggest its the effects of fall .. plus the abuse of the seller who sold it for one dollar [heck.. the pot was probably worth more than a buck] ... lol ... and the transplant ...

you have done what you can ... put away the chemicals ... turn off the hose.. insert you finger about 3 inches.. and only water when it is needed ...

as for the chemicals ... i have perennials... annuals ... hundreds of conifers.. trees.. and thousands of hosta ... and have used chemicals once in 7 years ... please ... cut back on your chemical use.. it just isnt that necessary ...

good luck

ken
jean001
16 years ago
A newly planted tree typically needs water every day to replenish the water used up by the roots. Because the roots are currently confined to the rootball, the rootball needs the water.

To know if the rootball is too wet or too dry, don't guess--- instead, stick a finger in it.

Overall, understand that you're trying to resurrect a discarded tree. Thus, you are starting with a damaged specimen.

And I echo the comment about the sprays -- stop -- they won't help but they may add further stress the tree.
janinecollette
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much for all of the advice. I've been gardening for about 2 years.. and it's basically my obscession and passion..it's all I think about and EVERY free moment I have.. I read about gardening or I have my hands in the dirt. All the help from my friends at garden web has been absolutely amazing! Every time I think i know what i'm doing.. I learn something new..from my friends here. I promise to keep the pesticides away from now on!!! I think i'm always so eager to make it all look amazing, I dont realize I sometimes need to let nature do it's 'thing'. Thanks again to you all!!!
Kimmsr
16 years ago
When you planted this tree did you "break" the root ball, worked the roots loose so they could move out and about in search of both moisture and nutrients, or did you just plant it and hope that the pot bound roots would grow out?
Very often a plant with pot bound roots will have a root ball so dense that no water can even get into that root ball, and that may be why you could buy it for $1.00.

Can't figure out whats wrong with my dogwood

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Can't figure out whats wrong with my dogwood

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