Care Instructions

Please use saucers to protect furniture and flooring.

Watering while in the container:
Do not allow the soil to dry out. Keep moist by watering daily. Water enough so that the water drains through the holes of the container. It is important to not mist. Misting can encourage certain plant diseases.

Fertilizer:
Use a general-purpose fertilizer with a Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium ratio of 3/1/2. Apply as instructed on the package.

Pruning:
Using hand or hedge shears keep pruned to the desired shape. We prune in May and in September.

Pest Control:
Use the appropriate insecticide for the pests that you are treating for, following the instructions on the container. Only use insecticides when needed.

Sun:
Full sun.

THESE VARIETIES ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE HOUSEPLANTS. THEY NEED TO BE MOVED TO AN OUTSIDE LOCATION AS SOON AS THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMPLETED.

Transplanting to the Ground:
Plant using a good sandy loam soil mixture mixed ½ and ½ with native soil. Prepare a hole twice as large as the rootball, loosen bottom soil and plant so that the top of the root ball is level with the existing ground level. The root system needs air and this is supplied by the surface roots. Immediately after planting, water well, then follow the above watering instructions until the roots have spread (approximately 1 month). Slowly begin to increase the length of time between watering to once per week. Remember to water deeply to encourage the roots to grow downward.

Transplanting to another container:
When transplanting to another container use the next largest size. Select a container that has drain holes. Plant using good sandy loam soil mixture. Do not plant the root ball any deeper that it is planted in the current container. The root system needs air and this is supplied by the surface roots. Water tree well, immediately after planting, then follow the above watering instructions of keeping the soil moist by watering daily.

Hardiness:
To protect trees from colder temperatures than what is recommended through an anti-transpirant may be applied to help the tree tolerate temperatures of 3 degrees lower than they might otherwise.

Click on the USDA Hardiness Map below for a larger view.