How to Fertilize a Leptospermum Laevigatum Australian Tea Tree
Leptospermum Laevigatum, also known as Australian tea tree, is an ornamental evergreen native to temperate and tropical climates where freezing temperatures are never a threat. The dusty silver-gray leaves and silvery bark are somewhat reminiscent of olive trees, but tea trees are actually related to myrtles. Generally low maintenance, Leptospermum will not respond favorably to heavy-handed applications of fertilizer. However, consistent light applications will support the tree's year-round growth cycle and will boost flowering and seed setting. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Complete, water-soluble fertilizer (15-15-15 or 7-9-5)
- Water
- Teaspoon measure
- Watering can
- Dowel or implement to stir
Instructions
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Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of complete fertilizer for every gallon of water applied to the tree roots. Use a complete, general fertilizer with a guaranteed analysis of 15-15-15 or one designed for flowering plants, such as 7-9-5. Mix the granules into the water with a wood dowel or similar implement, until all of the granules are completely dissolved.
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Sprinkle or gently pour the fertilizer-laced water all around the root zone of the tree, from trunk to outer canopy drip line. Thoroughly wet at least the top 6-12 inches of soil.
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Fertilize your Leptospermum laevigatum once a month, coinciding with one of your regular watering times. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soaking wet between fertilizer applications.
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Tips & Warnings
Fertilizer is particularly valuable for younger trees, for those growing in nutritionally poor or sandy soils where fertility is low, and for trees that have been stressed by insect damage, disease, physical root damage or unusually inclement weather.
