How to Care for Potted Sequoia Trees
Members of the cypress family, sequoia trees are the tallest trees in the world. Growing to heights of 120 feet or more at maturity, most sequoia trees will grow at a rate of 3 to 5 feet per year. If you have the room in your landscape to accommodate the massive height and 35 foot spread of sequoia trees, you will need to care for them in pots first. The longer they grow in pots, the more time they will have to develop a strong root system. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Start your sequoia seedlings off in the right sized pots. You will want pots large enough to accommodate the sequoia trees for at least 3 to 4 years. Pots with a 12-inch diameter and 10 to 11 inch depth should suffice.
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Pot the sequoia trees in well-drained, airy potting soil. An organic potting soil that is light and airy will allow the roots of the sequoia tree plenty of room for growth.
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Water the potted sequoias regularly, allowing the water to flow through the soil and out the drainage holes. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, at all times.
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Set the sequoia pots outdoors in an area where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. Keeping the potted sequoia trees outdoors will help them acclimate to the ever-changing weather conditions.
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Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to the potting soil. Refer to the package labeling to determine how often to fertilize the potted sequoias and the allocation amounts.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the potted sequoia trees outdoors, even in the winter. Snow and cold winds will improve the hardiness of the sequoia seedlings, preparing them for their eventual outdoor planting.
Transplant the sequoia trees in your garden landscape when they are 3 to 4 years of age.
Do not over water the potted sequoias. Pools of standing water in the pots can cause root rot to develop. Do not allow the soil to dry out in between waterings.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit giant sequoia image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
