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Re: Cornus kousa

Christopher P. Lindsey wrote:
> 
> > I've just bought a Cornus kousa, something I've always wanted. They're
> > never stocked by nurseries around here (although probably hardy),
> > so when I came across one about 175 cm tall at a good price with a 2
> > year guarantee I jumped at it. There is no cultivar name.
> >
> > The problem: what appear to be the flowers are very few in number, and
> > very small: the whole 4-bract star is about 2 cm (less than an inch)
> > across, and a greeny white. Is something wrong? I've never seen one in
> > person before so I don't know what to expect. Is this as good as they
> > will ever get? The leaves are also small, perhaps 4 or 5 cm long. I
> > note with suspicion that Dirr mentions inbreeding of C. kousa  may
> > cause lack of vigor and small flowers.
> 
> 175 cm = 5'6"
> 
> My parents have a kousa dogwood, and it acted the same way
> initially too.  This is the first year that it will be really
> floriferous; I think it's related to plant height.  The tree
> now stands at about 12' (4 m), and seems to get more blooms
> as it gets older.  The bracts should lighten and enlarge as
> time goes on.
> 
> They seem to really enjoy fertilizer and a good dose of
> sulphur in the soil too...
> 
> Chris
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
I have approximately 20 kousas in the nursery, and they stand about 3
feet in height.  And every one of them is as you say, except that the
leaves are bigger this year than last.
I'm sure that this is an indication of why the big ones are so
un-gawdly  expensive.  I recommend NOT pushing a high nitrogen
fertilizer the first year, but rather to fertilize for root enhancement.
Good luck. 
-- 
The Greenhouse Nursery
81 S. Bagley Creek Road & Hwy 101
Port Angeles, WA  98362
(360) 417-2664
Zone 8
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