Abies lasiocarpa 'Arizonica Compacta'

Bickelhaupt Arboretum, Clinton, IA; late March 2004:

 

Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

Planted this tree and the Wichita Blue Juniper on May 19. Any suggestions on fertilization in the Spring?

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

None, unless a soil test indicates a significant deficiency.

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

Thanks, it likes the Morning Sun on the East side as well as the 7" of new snow we just got. I put in some Pine Bark mulch 2 break up the heavy clay when I planted this May. We had 2 months of almost no rain in July-Aug. but I watered frequently. It is VERY Blue! Will check all plants during growing season.

Sincerely, Syv.

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

Just be aware it will want to grow to 8-10ft (3m) in diameter some day.

tj

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

Next time you plant trees or shrubs do not amend the backfill with organic material. Replant in existing soil, without structural modification.

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

What's wrong w/ Pine Bark mulch on top?

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

>I put in some Pine Bark mulch 2 break up the heavy clay when I planted<

sounds like amending of planting hole backfill if I ever heard it (or saw it). That is the statement I was going on. Mulching after planting is another matter and is certainly a good idea.

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

So why do you think it is bad...

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

Amending of planting hole backfill has been seen to be unhelpful for about 40 years now. The main problem is that it creates a small area of different texture around the newly planted specimens, affecting how water moves into the planting hole from the surrounding unmodified (or differently modified) soil as well as out of the planting hole. During wet conditions the amended planting hole may act as a sump, during dry its coarser texture may have less of an attraction for water and constantly lose water to surrounding, finer textured unamended (or less amended) soil outside the planting hole.

Chronic dryness of recently planted stock with undisturbed potting soil rootballs is something I have seen here repeatedly, it is the same phenomenon as planting in liberally amended backfill. I have seen original potting soil rootballs that were still as dry as dust years after the plant had rooted into the surrounding moist, native soil.

 

Re: Abies lasiocarpa Arizonica Glauca (Compacta)

I agree with Ron. It's a little better to amend a large area rather than a small one (the entire bed pictured is a small area) but it is best to let the plant grow in the soil that is there.

tj

 

Planted July 2020. It put about 3 inches of growth on during spring 2021