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canadianplant

best time to plant C ovata seedlings

canadianplant
9 years ago

My hickory seeds sprouted about a week or so ago. Reading about them has me worried about me potting them. They dont like to be transplanted apparently. I was wondering if I have a better chance of planting the seedling, which is barley 2 inches tall now right in the ground or should I pot them up?

Comments (6)

  • brandon7 TN_zone7
    9 years ago

    If you plant them out now, will you be able to keep them watered and well maintained at their permanent location? Can you protect them from predation (dogs, marauding children, etc)? If so, I see no reason not to go ahead and plant them out now. They'll be easier to maintain (assuming the location is not remote) and won't have to be babied later on.

  • Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
    9 years ago

    Transplanting is not the same as container grown. Grow in a deep pot (12"), preferably a root pruning pot or snip the tap root when it hits the bottom.

  • brandon7 TN_zone7
    9 years ago

    "Grow in a deep pot (12"), preferably a root pruning pot or snip the tap root when it hits the bottom."

    Are you going to tell us why you think they should be pot-grown as opposed to planted out in their permanent location?

  • Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
    9 years ago

    "Are you going to tell us why you think they should be pot-grown as opposed to planted out in their permanent location?"

    Depends on your expectations and desired outcome. If it's a restoration project, plant now and plant lots...the failure rate will be high (rodents, drought, competition, etc.)

    If you want a landscape tree, container grow it to a size that reduces the chance of failure (rodents, drought, competition, lawn mower, etc.) to a tolerable level.

    A newly germinated Hickory is going catch the attention of every squirrel a mile around. The rodent protection required will need to be very robust. They lose a lot of interest after the nut has atrophied and been removed from the sapling (I do this as a risk management exercise later in the 1st growing season...squirrels are desperately resourceful)

  • canadianplant
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Well I can understand about squirrels. They found myu hazlenut seedlings within two days. I do however have heavy aluminum mesh with holes 1/4 inch wide. That will be more then good to protect it....

    I was thinking of planting a few in the ground and a few in pots... I think I have 6 seeds/seedlings. The only problem here is winter. Ive killed hardy trees leaving them in pots sometimes over the winter.(zone 3/4)

  • Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
    9 years ago

    Sink the pots into your garden...that'll avoid the winter kill issue. The heavy duty screen will protect the nut from a frustrated squirrel. A frustrated squirrel though, will chop its teeth on anything nearby, including the new top growth of the hickory. Been there, seen that.

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