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Fast forward to now, my white Dogwood is growing but is requiring a lot of water. It seems like an awfully lot but I'm not sure. It is growing and looks ok unless I don't water it. During the hot weather we are experiencing I am watering it with a big watering pot I have. I give it 2 full pots. I am watering it around the edges (hoping to encourage the roots to grow towards the water but not sure if this is a good idea) and the 2nd watering I am dumping right in the middle which goes straight to the roots. As of late every 3-4 days the leaves droop unless I water it thoroughly. Does this sound normal? Should I put down some cow manure to help it out? Also, how deep should I mulch my trees? I am trying to curb my water usuage as much as possible.
Last edited by citydweller; 06-01-2009 at 04:43 PM..
Reason: add comment
Funny enough, I noticed little tiny 'fragile -star-type flower buds this morning! So thanks to your info Elke, looks like there's hope yet!
.. and ..what what I thought was a pink flowering dogwood .. has turned into a Kousa ?!?
and while I know I'll love and enjoy this one and be happy that it's healthy and flowering, my faves have always been the pink ones.
.. and the guy at the nursery seemed so confident.
Anyway, citydweller .. have a real close-up, maybe your buds are forming also. By the way, mine's taking lots of water .. and I'm watering daily. and been spreading my organic coffee grounds around for nutrients .. not sure if that's good or not, but this tree is looking very healthy.
Now I am going to have to take a picture, lol. I'll wait a few days when/if the flowers come ..
Congrats on your .. kousa! Lovely trees I think. As for mine, I could be wrong but I think it's too late to set buds but I will keep watching. I haven't been watering that one as much as the white dogwood as I probably should but I planted it last fall and I guess I thought it was better established.
Last edited by citydweller; 06-01-2009 at 05:23 PM..
Reason: edit
Well, I am back again. Up until now my dogwood had been doing pretty good. Since it is not established it has required some water this summer and at one time had some powdery mildew which I used emulsion oil on it. Until today everything was great but today it has lots of yellow leaves. Also some of the leaves are turning brown as you can see in the pics. They almost look diseased. And the newer leaves are curled up and feel crusty and dried out. Any advice is greatly appreciated cause it seems to be going downhill fast!
citydweller, I feel your pain. I've never grown a Kousa before, though, so I don't know what to tell you. Just wanted to empathize.
I want a couple of dogwoods for my front yard, and would like for them to be Kousas, since the plain ones are so susceptible to anthracnose. But I've never seen any for sale in the usual places I look (Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot). Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places? Or do these not do well in the deep, deep south, and that's why I've never found one for sale here?
Actually, this particular tree is a white dogwood (I have a Kousa in the back yard though). According to the Arbor Day Foundation map, Kousas can grow well in zones 5-8 and so you should be able to grow one just fine if you are in Arkansas. You might want to visit a local nursery to find one. Since fall is around the corner it would be a great time to plant one.
In GA Kousas grow better is some shade and they are later to bloom than regular dogwoods by almost a month. Remember that watering directly at the trunk does very little good unless it is freshly planted from Ball and burlap or in a pot. so water established trees around the drip line. Feeder roots for trees are in the first 6 inches of soil and tap root only holds the tree in place. Had a friend once who put his drip hose righ up against the trunk to "make sure I'm watering the tap root" and then he got mad when I told him it's the drip line roots which feed the tree. Live and learn. Also master gardener classes are excellent investment for anybody serious about gardening and horticulture.
Actually, this particular tree is a white dogwood (I have a Kousa in the back yard though). According to the Arbor Day Foundation map, Kousas can grow well in zones 5-8 and so you should be able to grow one just fine if you are in Arkansas. You might want to visit a local nursery to find one. Since fall is around the corner it would be a great time to plant one.
I'm not in Arkansas. I'm in Louisiana, zone 8b, and it's hotter than hades here in the summer, and so humid sometimes you can hardly breathe.
I think, though, that the spot I have in mind would be good, they will grow here at all....I know dogwoods like high shade, and my spot would be between two large pecan trees whose limbs meet in the middle. Not much direct sunlight at all, except in spring.
I started some Kousa dogwood from seeds. I got 5 seedlings, but the leaves are turning brown and one of them has died, They are 3 1/2 months old. There really isn't enough information on the net, as to what to do to keep them going once they sprout. Does anyone have more info for once they sprout. Two seem to be doing good, they have a third set of leaves, but other leaves still turning brown. Two have just a second set of leaves, but they look like they are going to die.
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