Planting depth for a Thundercloud flowering plum - Knowledgebase Question

Newport, WA
Avatar for luceo
Question by luceo
June 8, 2006
I just bought a Thundercloud and noticed your planting instructions say to plant with rootball slightly above ground level. This puts the graft
above ground. I then went through other Monrovia tags I have kept thru the years, and they all give the same planting instructions, regardless of what it is. Bush, tree, whatever. This is a mature tree, 8ft tall. 10 ft if you count the root ball. Shouldnt I bury the graft considering the cold we get in the winter?
Thank you for your help.

Jacque Storey
[email protected]


Image
Answer from NGA
June 8, 2006
The recommendation about planting high is based upon the fact that soil can settle after a while and the tree or shrub can sink, which exposes the bark on the trunk to wet soil. This can result in rot after a few years. Planting high will eliminate this problem. And, since your tree is grafted, if you bury the graft, you'll end up with shoots emerging from below the graft, which will compete with the tree you originally purchased. For best results, plant the tree or shrub at the same, or slightly higher soil level than it was growing in the nursery pot. The graft whould be fine when exposed to your winter weather. Hope this clarifies things for you.

You must be signed in before you can post questions or answers. Click here to join!

« Return to the Garden Knowledgebase Homepage

Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )

Today's site banner is by Murky and is called "Pink and Yellow Tulips"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.