Pinus Aristata and the Heat Wave

[mfantus]

Hi All

I have a lovely bristlecone pine sapling (about 8" high) growing very nicely in a semi cascade style (all by itself, it is true they are self-styling) that survived its first winter and put out an abundance of new candles this spring. Since the heat wave started however it has looked lethargic - needles closing up, more brown needles appearing every day and one of the candles broke off when I brushed it to get some of the dried ones off.

The literature says this species can survive just about anything, but it also says it thrives above 8000 ft.

I put it in some shade hoping to give it respite from direct sun till the heat breaks up a bit.

I am posting because I also fertilize a little every day (about half a teaspoon to a gallon plus of water of dyna grow) which I use on everything. Is the fertilizer burning it or the combination of the heat and the fertilizer? I did not notice an issue till the heat started but it is possible it began before.

Any advice?

Thank you,

Michael Fantus
Washington DC

[lewisjk]

I have a similar situation with a Thuja occidentalis which was collected in Canada two years ago, and moved here to the Blue Ridge foothills last fall after Bill V's September get-together. I knew it would struggle down here, even in a "normal" summer, but it seems OK so far -- fingers crossed. I keep it in the shade (full sun in fall, winter and early spring). I also have wrapped the pot in aluminum foil to reflect the heat and sunlight when it gets it. It (and my other trees) are watered 3 times a day (usually twice a day in summer) with overhead sprinklers.

(I wonder if there will ever be such a thing as a "normal" summer again.)

[centaura]

I would cut back on the feeding when the tree is hot. The tree will only use the fertilizers when the temps are lower during the day. While the temps at night will allow some fertilizer uptake, not much is needed since the growth is slow during the day. And, too much fert can accumulate in the soil, creating potentially toxic conditions. I would go a week without the every day feeding, and let some of the accumulation work out of the soil. When you start back up again, I don't think I'd go with an every day fert regime. Read the instructions, and go with the recommendations.

-Cat