New Plant Care Help

How to Plant Small Plants/Trees

This information is added to the shipping boxes.

     Plants received from Epic Grower LLC were grown in Cleveland, Ga in a greenhouse, outdoor shade house or out in the environment (USDA Zone 7)on growing benches. It’s important to know your growing environment and general growing terms.

     Check your growing environment and USDA zone.  If you are not in the USDA growing zone for the type of plant you selected then you need to grow the plant in a container.  Many plants require protection from cold weather and/or extreme heat. Check to see how much sun or shade your plants can handle. These are GENERAL instructions not specific to your environment.  Expect leaf loss and wilting. This is normal.

Planting

If ground planting: Dig a hole in the ground at least 50% larger than the root ball. If you are planting a larger plant (3 gallon or large plant) make the hole at least twice the size of the root system.  Backfill 25% of the hole with the proper type of soil, compost or even manure mixture. Check the internet for the proper soil mix for your type of plant.

                If planting an herb, fruit or similar plant then use a good airy rich soil or compost when your do the actual plant planting. Stay away from moss based mixes or ones that develop a top crust. Again check the proper soil type for your plant.  Put a layer of hardwood mulch or pine needle mulch. Stay away from the colorized mulches.

Container planting: Pick a pot at least twice the size of the plant's root system. Clay pots and pots with holes are better to control moisture, root breathing and heat. The roots need air to grow well and survive.  Its better that you do not OVERSIZE the pot for the plant.  Soil nutrients get depleted.  Repot the plant in size increments so soil is replenished and the roots grow strong.

                 Fill the bottom and sides of the pot with the soil you plan to use. Then plant the tree using a good airy potting soil fo the proper type. Coir based mixes are great!

More planting information:

1. If ground planting, water the planting holes one day before planting the small plants if soil is hard.
2. Plant in the late afternoon to avoid the hot sun the first day.
3. Do not plant the root ball more than 1/2" below the soil. The roots need to breath. Look at the plants' trunk color to see the coloration difference near the soil one. Keep the area that was exposed to the air above the soil!
4. If growing in a pot (especially a bonsai pot) then spread out the roots. Try not to damage the roots. We use chop-sticks to separate the root ball to gently spread the roots out.
5. Add a root hormone such as Dyna-Gro K-L-N to the water the first 21 days.  Read the vendors instructions for dilution, precautions and how often to use.
6. If the plant tends to fall over then add support. Put a stick into the hole and use a twist tie to hold the plant upright. When you insert the support stick try not to damage any roots under the soil!  If using a bonsai pot, wire down the plant to support it.
7. Pack soil around the base of eh plant lightly.
8. Water lightly for the first few days.
9. After 30 days add a good fertilizer with micro nutrients such as Dyna-Gro Grow or Dyna-Gro Foliage.
10. Research your growing environment to make sure you are planting the type of plants properly.
11. Remember these are good general planting instructions.  Not all plants grow the same. If you are not sure check the internet for more information on soil types and light requirements. 

Growing Tips / terms and Very Important Information.  Please read all!

     Complete nutrition results in superior plant growth. Why choose anything less for your plants? There are 20 elements necessary for optimum plant growth. Air and water supply carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Macronutrients are required by plants in large amounts. Micronutrients are required in smaller amounts. Eliminate any of these elements, and plants will display abnormal growth, deficiencies or may not reproduce. DO NOT FERTALIZE THE PLANT WHEN YOU FIRST RECEIVE IT! - it will cause too much plant stress!

VERY IMPORTANT:    There are hundreds of growing environments.  These instructions contain GENERAL information.  You need to do YOUR research on how to grow the plant in your growing zone and environment.  Adjust how you grow the plant based on your area. Epic Grower LL provides these general instructions but once the plant is in your hands its out of our control.

Direct sunlight:  Direct sunlight means the plant sees the Sun.  It does not mean near a window that gets light.  This is important understand to grow your plant correctly.  Full sun means direct access/line of sight to the sun. In very strong sunny areas you may need to provide some partial shade to protect plants from burnt/browning leaves or overheating.  Do your research. Test different areas (give the plant 4-6 in each area).

Plant Stress:  Moving plants from one environment to another (such as shipping plants to you) causes plant stress.   Re-potting plants cause plant stress.  Fertilizing wrong will cause stress. Cutting roots and branches causes stress.  Do one thing at a time to prevent plant stress and death.  When you prune make sure you do it at the right time of year for your plant

How to Make soil Airy:  Add perlite to mixes.   Add small NON porous rocks. Use clay pots to allow air flow.  Make sure there are holes in the bottom of the pots. 

How to retain some moisture but not too much:  Use coir based mixes not Moss! Moss mixes tend to create crusts on top of the soil which causes water and air flow problems.   There are some moss/pine bark mixes that work great but be careful of crusts forming on the top of the soil.  Crusts will not allow air or water flow and roots need air to survive!

Advice:  The number one thing we hear from people is "My Gardener said xxxxx” Be careful, most gardeners are not plant experts. They may know about local plants/grass/trees but not about exotic rare plants. There are many different growing environments and micro-environments in all areas.  Do your research and understand plants are living things that will do great but sometimes they may die. It may be the water, the nutrients, the sun light, heat, soil, cold, bugs or something else causing problems.    Enjoy growing your plants. Please visit our blog for more information.