Potted Van Speybrock Spruce

2 years ago

I bought a Picea orientalis 'Van Speybrock' Oriental Spruce late this winter. It arrived healthy and I kept it dormant and up-potted from the 1 gallon to a 10 gallin pot in late March. The soil mix I used was about 1/3 Promix potting soil, 1/3 pine fines, 1/3 perlite. It started in a position that get good morning sun but is shaded by mid-afternoon. I have moved it slowly out in a sunny area but still gets late afternoon shade. It has not been very warm here until this week but also has not been below freezing. It has been moderate rainfall and the pot has not dried out completely. I watch it closely using the two digit finger test. It is definitely stressed with needles turning brown and dropping. It has pretty much steadily worsen since potting. I have not yet fertilized it at all. Picture attached.

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Comments (4)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years ago
tree time is counted in de=cades... short term expectations will drive you insane ...

...

it is obviously stressed from shipping.. transplanting.. etc ..

winter damage often shows in spring so if that is a factor. we will never know.. since we have no prior history ...

complete harding it off to full sun ...

DO NOT WATER IT AGAIN until the pot is near dry ... perhaps when the heat of summer hits in late july or august..

where are you.. big city name... i might be more specific..

drowning it will kill the plant.. not stop the alleged browning..

next time.. ask first.. [now that you found us...] ....trees in pots.. need a very special a potting mix.. one which is low in water retaining material like peat...

trees like dry roots.. and for most situations.. rain alone should take care of watering.. especially in such a big pot ....daily watering might only be necessary when you are dealing with very small pots... like quart pots .. not 10 gal pots ...

remember this.. maples will grow in gutters.. with no help from anyone ... do not love your tree to death ...

i might leave it in full BRIGHT shade until fall ... and then you better learn how to winter it over in a pot...

welcome to the forums...

ken
Eric from Hamilton, Va Zone 7a
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks very much. My experience with potted trees is fairly significant. Multiple potted citrus and figs (like in excess of 20). Clearly a different thing with conifers. I can move it under my outside deck stairs where it will be protected from excess rain (which we can get) but still very bright and some morning sun. I take it fertilization is a big no right now. I am in Loudoun County Virginia, btw, Zone 7a.
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BillMN-z4a
2 years ago
For me, well-draining media is key for conifers in containers.

Also letting things get continually wet during cool to cold and cloudy weather never fared well for me. Once high temperatures stay north of the 70's, moisture has never been a problem.
alley_cat_gw_7b
2 years ago
From a 1gal to a 10gal is quite a jump. I probably would have parked it in a 5 for a couple of seasons. It's holding on to moisture much more than it was used to...