Help! Newly Planted Dogwood dying!

GrowRebel · #1 06-02-2008, 05:46 PM

I just got a pink dogwood tree from Marc's ... I got some mircle grow tree and srub mix ... it was supermoist ... I followed directions when I planted it ... I watered it the next day and used some superthrive ... that was last Tuesday ... I watered again Thrusday ... Saturday when I got home the most of the leave where wilted and dried out!

... I don't understand it!

I did everything I knew to keep it healthy ... I even use a little paint to seal where I cut dead pieces ... I don't understand what's wrong ...

HELP

Barrelhse · #2 06-02-2008, 09:54 PM

Could be heavy shock. They'll drop the old foliage while they work on roots and pull themselves together. If it has dead buds instead of green after 2 wks you may have a cremation in your near future. They prefer sheltered and shady, with nothing extreme by way of wind exposure, or hot sun for long hours.

KillerBeeZ · #3 06-03-2008, 05:01 AM

he may be right, it may be too late...hard to say

It might have been the fertilizers you gave it.

After such a shock, its best to wait to give most any plant fertilizers, give a plant a good 2 weeks after such a shock before you give it fertilizers, plus water it daily (sandy soil, 2 times a day) for 2 weeks, then water it 2 times a week for the next few months... then every week for about 6 months or more.
Also, take great care in handling roots, don't wash them off unless there is dire need to do so, and be sure not to break any roots.

IF there is no help but to break a few roots (real bad idea) or you simply must wash the roots... or if it seems the plant should have more roots (maybe they were broken or stunted before you got it) then I like to sprinkle Vermiculite directly on the roots before putting it in the ground.

Keep in mind that I'm really just an amature gardener, but I've grown a few plants that everyone said were going to die and are not quite healthy... I even cloned an eggplant lol...
I never knew you could do that with those

Also if anything I said here is just plain wrong, please correct me... I'm always learning

Pookiedough · #4 06-03-2008, 06:08 AM

Should have just planted, watered, and left it alone trees don't take well to ferts until they are well settled.It might come back though or if you are feeling adventurous find a still healthy limb and try to root it.Would be a shame to lose the whole tree as they are very beautiful.

GrowRebel · #5 06-03-2008, 03:40 PM

The only thing I used was the miracle grow tree and shrub potting mix ... and some superthive ... they said you are suppose to use that kind of potting mix for trees ... I didn't use and fert other than that ...

KillerBeeZ · #6 06-06-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pookiedough

Should have just planted, watered, and left it alone trees don't take well to ferts until they are well settled.It might come back though or if you are feeling adventurous find a still healthy limb and try to root it.Would be a shame to lose the whole tree as they are very beautiful.

you can grow dogwoods from a cutting? wow never knew that... awesome

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowRebel

The only thing I used was the miracle grow tree and shrub potting mix ... and some superthive ... they said you are suppose to use that kind of potting mix for trees ... I didn't use and fert other than that ...

Yeah even that might have been too much... but all may not be lost, believe it or not most trees will look horrid when they are first planted, and they generally lose a lot of leaves if not all of them, esp if they are not handled right before you got them.

You will need to give it a few weeks to know for sure if it is actually dead

GrowRebel · #7 06-06-2008, 05:51 PM

Thanks for the info ... I tried my best to do it right ... they say you are suppose to use a tree and shrub potting mix ... all the leaves have dried and died ... I've only a stick now ... I will give it a chance ... I'm so upset over this ... I will never buy another if this one dies ... especially since I when all out to do what's right for it ... thanks again.

KillerBeeZ · #8 06-07-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrowRebel

Thanks for the info ... I tried my best to do it right ... they say you are suppose to use a tree and shrub potting mix ... all the leaves have dried and died ... I've only a stick now ... I will give it a chance ... I'm so upset over this ... I will never buy another if this one dies ... especially since I when all out to do what's right for it ... thanks again.

Give it 1 week, then go and *CAREFULLY* bend the topmost branch at about a 45 degree angle (no more than 45 degrees)

if it bends and is flexible, its still alive... if it breaks, then that part is dead, try a little lower. Keep doing this every week... if the dead area continues to get lower and lower, the tree is dying... if in 3 weeks or so, it has not died on the top, then the tree will be ok

GrowRebel · #9 06-07-2008, 03:42 PM

I was advice by a grower at a garden forum to dig it up and check out the roots ... I don't know what to look for ... can anyone tell me if these roots are okay? Also I was advised to move it to a shady spot ..

Chiceh · #10 06-10-2008, 07:13 AM

Hey there, just popped in and saw this. Any tree or shrub will need lots of water when first planted. Like an hour each night. I run a hose on a slow trickle/flow and just set it there and let soak for an hour for the first week. Then water twice per week for 2 weeks then once a week until looking good. The once the stress is over I give it nutes. It will drop leaves on you due to the stress, but hopefully it comes back when the roots settle. Good luck.