Re: help with cultural methods
gardenchat@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: help with cultural methods
  • From: j* s* <i*@q.com>
  • Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:59:03 -0700
If the three starts all [emphasis on all] look healthy, and if you're willing to invest the time and care in growing them on, by all means go for it. But I wouldn't plant all three in the same hole; Ma Nature doesn't do that and I wouldn't either. 



On Sep 26, 2010, at 2:37 PM, Kitty wrote:
Thans Jim, that helps. I guess, to put my question more simply, I would be asking which shrub should you buy, given that everything else appeared to be identical, one start in the pot or three? - AND, most importantly, should shrubs be grown that way? Your last statement set me right. Thanks.
I must confess that this time of year I do check around for such sales for a few good deals to either experiment with or to augment my spring sale.
I thought Ilex Castle Spire would be a good choice for my yard in that it grows taller than wide whereas other blue hollies I have try to take up too much space. 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: "james singer" <inlandjim1@q.com>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] help with cultural methods



The fact that they came apart easily says they were recently put
together--undoubtedly to bring a higher price.

We sent them back for three of reasons basically: One, we wanted,
expected, and contracted to pay for 3-gallon plants, not hastily
repotted 1-gallon plants. Two, container-plant growers' losses are
inversely related to plant age; by taking younger plants, we would
also be assuming a higher rate of risk and failure. Three, we
advertised the nursery as selling only plants that met the "Florida
Number 1" standard or higher, which these would not meet in caliper or 
height.

I think you did the right thing by growing two of them on. With care
they will become nice by spring.


On Sep 26, 2010, at 11:22 AM, Kitty wrote:


It's surprising what some companies think they can get away with.
Did your nursery send them back because they weren't worth what they
paid based on wht they ordered?  Or is it because it is not good to
grow them that way?

This container, maybe a trade size 2 gallon or a little smaller, had
3 in it. The one in the middle was something of a runt while the two
outer starts weren't bad.  I got it at Lowes where they sell to some
people who might only look at the leaf display coming from the pot
rather than the overall manner of growth.  The 3 came apart easily
and I've repotted them individually. At $3.33 for the pot, that's a
bargain.  I only needed one and the other 2 will more than cover my
cost at my sale next spring.  I'm sure they'll survive as I did the
same last spring when they put 2 in the container.



Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: "james singer" <inlandjim1@q.com>
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 11:20 AM
Subject: Re: [CHAT] help with cultural methods
Some container-plant grower try to cut corners by bunching up small, usually young, plants in larger containers, then doubling or tripling 
the price as if they had maintained the plant for an additional 2-3
years. We occasionally got shipments of them at the nursery; we
always
sent them back.


On Sep 25, 2010, at 12:53 PM, Kitty wrote:


I picked up a Proven Winners Ilex x m. Castle Spire yesterday.  I
thought it strange that the PW tag dsn't mention needing a male
pollinator for those who aren't aware.  Since it showed the red
berries in the picture tag, I assumed it was female. Their website
says Castle Wall is the pollinator.  I have other I.x m. cultivars
that can handle the male role.
The cultural question I have is regarding the relatively recent (to 
me) habit of combining more than one cutting of a shrub to a pot.
The reason is obviously to provide a fuller looking plant, but is
this a good practice?  I sort of understand the combination of one
male and one female in a pot, but again, is planting this way GOOD
FOR THE PLANT?  Will they soon grow to rub each other at the base,
eventually grow into each other there?  Is this good?  Also seems
like too much congestion at center, reducing air movement.

Anyway, what do you think?


Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
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Inland Jim
Willamette Valley

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Inland Jim
Willamette Valley

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Inland Jim
Willamette Valley

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