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willzbernard

American Pillar thuja

9 years ago

I bought these patented American Pillar thuja arborvitaes and they came in really small containers, about 4" tall, and the highest growth reaches about 8". I would to keep them in the containers until early November so as to plant them in the New Jersey ground in the ideal time. I was wondering if these containers are too small to keep them in for another 4 months. I would rather not repot now, not only because of the hassle, but also because I would like them to grow as high as they can before November. Also, should I fertilize them now as well since they are staying put until November?

Comments (4)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I would pot up now w/o upsetting the roots other than to work your fingers into them a bit to loosen things up, put them in open or dappled shade for a week, and move back to full sun once new growth has resumed. In Oct, I'd remove most of the soil from the roots, correct any root issues, plant out, and keep them watered until the ground freezes.

    How many do you have and how are you using them? T occidentalis 'Zmatlik' is a really nice, tight plant - often mistaken for Chamaecyparis.

    Al

    willzbernard thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
  • 9 years ago

    Thanks Al.

    I bought 270 of them as that was the minimum order from the wholesaler and I would like to use most of them for privacy trees around my yard. They are actually called American Pillar Arborvitae, they are a patented version of the green emerald but grow much quicker and much taller, officially 3 feet a year reaching 25 feet. They were a third of the price when buying wholesale, about $4 a piece, but that is why I need to replant them because they come in these tiny containers. What would you recommend me repotting them in? I can't use your gritty mix like I am using for my citrons because of the price, and also cutting up the pine bark is way too time consuming for that many trees. I figured that for only 4 months I can go with regular miracle grow potting mix. I was also thinking of mixing in some perlite to the miracle grow potting mix. I also liked the idea of the miracle grow because it has fertilizer and I won't have to fertilize.

  • PRO
    9 years ago

    Could you tell me where did you get them? I'm tired of looking for them. I only know The American pillar nursery at Georgia has them. Not sure should I order from them. I'm worried if they will survive because they only ship in bare root. I don't mind the size of 4" pot. I need about 30 of them and try to get the price as low as possibles. Maybe more if the price is lower. From Georgia nursery the price is 6 for $100 with bare root.

    thanks, Edison

  • 9 years ago

    I got them from spring meadow nursery, but they only sell wholesale and the minimum order is 270.