Burning Bush - Ask Extension
The burning bush has been in the ground for a month, it has plenty of sunlight and water. I used a root stimulator at planting and watered in really w...
Knowledgebase
Burning Bush #876179
Asked July 07, 2024, 10:39 AM EDT
The burning bush has been in the ground for a month, it has plenty of sunlight and water. I used a root stimulator at planting and watered in really well. The browning started after I watered the bush at the drip line and sprayed water on the leaves two weeks ago.
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Larry,
This is stress from being planted, being exposed to Colorado sun, and general transplant shock.
Newly planted trees and shrubs need to be watered on a very regular basis for the first several weeks following planting. When it's been as hot as it has, watering is even more important.
Check the root ball and ensure that it's moist. Then follow the guidelines on watering from the U of MN: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs
Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals:
Also, move the mulch off the top of the root ball so that when you water, you're watering the root ball and not just the mulch or surrounding area. Adding additional root stimulator or fertilizer is unnecessary.
This is stress from being planted, being exposed to Colorado sun, and general transplant shock.
Newly planted trees and shrubs need to be watered on a very regular basis for the first several weeks following planting. When it's been as hot as it has, watering is even more important.
Check the root ball and ensure that it's moist. Then follow the guidelines on watering from the U of MN: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-newly-planted-trees-and-shrubs
Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals:
- 1-2 weeks after planting, water daily.
- 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days.
- After 12 weeks, water weekly until roots are established.
Also, move the mulch off the top of the root ball so that when you water, you're watering the root ball and not just the mulch or surrounding area. Adding additional root stimulator or fertilizer is unnecessary.
Thanks
I did a new soil sample in April from three different areas where I have perennial flowers and shrubs. Is the salt that high to cause problems, sulfate was high, and nitrate very high. Thanks
Thanks
Hi Larry,
Nitrate is an easy thing to test for in a lab, but isn't an accurate reflection of what's currently happening in your soils. It's very mobile and what the results were on the day they tested would be different today. If you had just fertilized the plants, it could be affecting the numbers.
The salt levels are fine - anything below 1.0 is perfect.
But the organic matter is very high, so the amendments you used may be affecting plant establishment. Amendments, depending on the source, can also hold too much water and/or be salty (if derived from animal manures).
Has the shrub started to leaf out this spring? Are the buds swelling?
Nitrate is an easy thing to test for in a lab, but isn't an accurate reflection of what's currently happening in your soils. It's very mobile and what the results were on the day they tested would be different today. If you had just fertilized the plants, it could be affecting the numbers.
The salt levels are fine - anything below 1.0 is perfect.
But the organic matter is very high, so the amendments you used may be affecting plant establishment. Amendments, depending on the source, can also hold too much water and/or be salty (if derived from animal manures).
Has the shrub started to leaf out this spring? Are the buds swelling?
Thank you for the explanation.
