How to Grow Fantastic Plants

                                                           Mail:
                                                           5865 Steeplechase
                                                           Bartlett, TN 38134
                                                           Phone:
                                                           901-438-1912
                                                           fanplant@aol.com

A mail order nursery specializing in Japanese maples, conifers,
and other new, unusual, and rare -trees, shrubs, and perennials.

As soon as possible remove the plants from the box. It is best to keep all new plants in some shade until they have recovered a bit from their trip. Water throughly as soon as possible.

Normally plants have been removed from their containers and any loose soil is extracted. The root and soil ball is then wrapped in plastic wrap to retain moisture and to hold root balls firmly in place during shipping. Plants can be left in the plastic for several days (or even weeks), but you will want to water trees right away regardless of handling. If left in the plastic tear a small hole in the top of the plastic wrap to let water in, and a few small holes in the bottom of the plastic wrap for drainage. Do not allow standing water to collect around the roots.

If plants are to be located in full sun or mostly sun, gradually expose them to more and more sun light over several days to help them acclimate to your light environment.

Ph
Most plants will grow in a neutral to somewhat acidic soil. Your soil pH (potential of hydrogen) should be in the range of 5.0 to 7.0 for all the elements needed for growth to be available for your plants. You can correct soil pH by adding lime to acid soil or aluminum sulfate to alkaline soil. Some plants prefer conditions closer to one end of the scale or the other, and are usually noted as such in their desciptions. E.G. 'Acid loving'.

Ammendments
Add organic matter such as compost, peat moss, pine bark, etc. to existing soils. Organic matter breaks down heavy clay soils and improves their drainage. In sandy soils organic matter aids the water and nutrient rentention capacity of the soil. Ammendments can be tilled into the soil in large beds, or can be mixed with the backfill used to fill holes around larger plants.

Dig a generous sized hole for each plant. Plants should be planted in the soil at the same depth as they have been growing in their container. If your soil has lots of clay or poor drainage is a problem, plants might be best off slightly elevated (1 to 2 inches) from the existing soil level to assist drainage.

Add a generous layer of organic mulch (bark, pine straw, or similar) around new plants.
After replanting to final spot, stake and prune as necessary. A light fertilizer at planting time is likely to be all you will need for the rest of the first year.