Care For Bare Root Plants

For some time now we have been shipping bare root plants to customers. Because of regulations and shipping costs this will be a more common method of delivering plants. Here are a few guidelines to follow when you receive your shipment:

• Unpack the shipment immediately
• Prior to planting in their permanent place, keep the plants in a shaded area and rehydrate
• Plant the plants asap. If you cannot plant within a day or two heel in or temporarily transplant into a container
• Make sure that the media is well drained and is slightly acidic
• Keep the media moist (but not wet) for at least the first two weeks after receiving the plants
• Mist to foliage several times daily if possible for the first week. Keep this to a minimum. Wet leaves for long periods of time create conditions for disease development/spread of disease
• Once planted, provide shade during the hottest periods of the day. If continuous shade is provided, gradually remove the shade over a period of a week so plants are not shocked. Direct sun on tender foliage can cause the foliage to burn.
• Do not over fertilize. High levels of fertilizer may cause root burn. Allow the plants to establish for about two weeks before starting high nutrient fertilization