Q. I planted a Texas Ranger shrub three weeks ago in some sandy
and rocky soil. I have been watering it with about two gallons daily. I added
one inch-deep bark mulch in a 1 foot circle around the plant. Now I am finding
yellow, brittle leaves on the lower stems and curling leaves on top. Am I overwatering?
A. Yes, it is definitely watered too often. Overwatering can
be in two forms; giving too much water OR giving water too often or both at the
same time. “Giving too much water” relates to the number of gallons you give a
plant each time you water. “Watering too often” relates to how many times in a
week you give water to a plant.
be in two forms; giving too much water OR giving water too often or both at the
same time. “Giving too much water” relates to the number of gallons you give a
plant each time you water. “Watering too often” relates to how many times in a
week you give water to a plant.
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| Texas ranger hedge sheared and consequently the flowers removed |
It is far
more damaging if plants are watered too often rather than given too much in a
single watering. Rangers do fine without wood mulch. They will benefit from it
but they don’t really need it like other plants, such as roses and many fruit
trees in the rose family, do.
more damaging if plants are watered too often rather than given too much in a
single watering. Rangers do fine without wood mulch. They will benefit from it
but they don’t really need it like other plants, such as roses and many fruit
trees in the rose family, do.
Now, a
second problem. If wood mulch is in contact with young tender stems of plants,
it can contribute to a disease called collar rot. Collar rot basically rots the
trunk of the plant in contact with continuously wet mulch just above the soil
surface.
second problem. If wood mulch is in contact with young tender stems of plants,
it can contribute to a disease called collar rot. Collar rot basically rots the
trunk of the plant in contact with continuously wet mulch just above the soil
surface.
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| Collar rot of bean but the principles are the same. |
A third
problem is just plain old root rot. This happens below ground and not at the
soil surface. Root rot happens because the roots cannot “breathe” due
to a lack of oxygen. The open spaces in the soil are continuously filled with
water. Basically the roots “drown”.
problem is just plain old root rot. This happens below ground and not at the
soil surface. Root rot happens because the roots cannot “breathe” due
to a lack of oxygen. The open spaces in the soil are continuously filled with
water. Basically the roots “drown”.
Bottom line;
pull the mulch away from the trunk about a foot or eliminate it. Make sure the
plant is planted at the correct depth in the soil. Make a basin around the
plant about 2 feet in diameter and fill this basin with water from a hose or bucket.
pull the mulch away from the trunk about a foot or eliminate it. Make sure the
plant is planted at the correct depth in the soil. Make a basin around the
plant about 2 feet in diameter and fill this basin with water from a hose or bucket.
Set your
drip emitters for twice a week during the summer. On the same days your drip
emitters come on, fill the basin with water. This helps settle the soil around
the root system.
drip emitters for twice a week during the summer. On the same days your drip
emitters come on, fill the basin with water. This helps settle the soil around
the root system.
When you
see new growth, eliminate the watering in the basin. Use only the drip emitters
from that point forward. Use enough emitters to deliver 1 to 2 gallons each
time you water. Next year, add one more emitter but leave the number of minutes
unchanged.
see new growth, eliminate the watering in the basin. Use only the drip emitters
from that point forward. Use enough emitters to deliver 1 to 2 gallons each
time you water. Next year, add one more emitter but leave the number of minutes
unchanged.
Fertilize
once in January. Do not use a hedge shears to prune unless you intend it to be
a hedge. If the plant is intended to stand alone, use selective pruning and
remove one or two of the largest stems near the base of the plant every two to
three years.
once in January. Do not use a hedge shears to prune unless you intend it to be
a hedge. If the plant is intended to stand alone, use selective pruning and
remove one or two of the largest stems near the base of the plant every two to
three years.
A. Yes, it is definitely watered too much. Overwatering
can be in two forms; given too much water OR giving water too often. It is far
more damaging to plants to water them too often. Rangers do fine without wood
mulch. They will benefit from it but don’t really need it. If wood mulch is in
contact with young tender trunks or stems of plants, it can contribute to a
disease called collar rot. This disease is in the soil and can spread into
healthy tissue if the plant is stressed.
The other concern is just plain old root rot. This
happens because the roots cannot “breathe” due to a lack of oxygen to
the roots. Basically the roots “drown”. Plant parts without light
need oxygen. Plant parts that are green and exposed to light need carbon
dioxide AND oxygen. Keeping the soil moist and having the wood mulch in contact
with the trunk is a double whammy on this plant. If the soil is amended at the
time of planting (University of Arizona discourages that) then you should water
only about twice a week right now. We are in nearly the same climate zone.
happens because the roots cannot “breathe” due to a lack of oxygen to
the roots. Basically the roots “drown”. Plant parts without light
need oxygen. Plant parts that are green and exposed to light need carbon
dioxide AND oxygen. Keeping the soil moist and having the wood mulch in contact
with the trunk is a double whammy on this plant. If the soil is amended at the
time of planting (University of Arizona discourages that) then you should water
only about twice a week right now. We are in nearly the same climate zone.
Bottom line….i hope it is not too late but pull the
mulch away from the trunk about a foot or eliminate it. Make sure the plant is
planted at the correct depth in the soil. Make a basin around the plant for the
first few weeks and, in addition to your drip irrigation, water with a hose
twice a week in the basin two feet in diameter surrounding the plant. This
helps eliminate air pockets and settles the soil around plant roots. Actually
you should be adding water to the planting hole when you are backfilling the
hole with amended soil so the soil and water (mud) can flow around the plant
roots. When you do this you will see air bubbles coming from the soil as the
excess air is eliminated from the planting hole and around the roots.
mulch away from the trunk about a foot or eliminate it. Make sure the plant is
planted at the correct depth in the soil. Make a basin around the plant for the
first few weeks and, in addition to your drip irrigation, water with a hose
twice a week in the basin two feet in diameter surrounding the plant. This
helps eliminate air pockets and settles the soil around plant roots. Actually
you should be adding water to the planting hole when you are backfilling the
hole with amended soil so the soil and water (mud) can flow around the plant
roots. When you do this you will see air bubbles coming from the soil as the
excess air is eliminated from the planting hole and around the roots.
When finished planting, the plant should be solidly
established in the hole.
established in the hole.
When you move the plant, it should not wiggle around in
the soil. When you see new growth in a couple of weeks, eliminate the watering
from the hose and go to emitters. Use enough emitters to give you 1-2 gallons each time you water. Next year, add
another emitter. Fertilize once in January. Do not use a hedge shears to prune
it but let it grow with little pruning.
the soil. When you see new growth in a couple of weeks, eliminate the watering
from the hose and go to emitters. Use enough emitters to give you 1-2 gallons each time you water. Next year, add
another emitter. Fertilize once in January. Do not use a hedge shears to prune
it but let it grow with little pruning.