This Is Why Your Trees and Large Plants Aren’t Growing
Fast-growing trees and shrubs are a popular choice amongst homeowners because they can reach large sizes very quickly. But even after following all the instructions about caring for them, some plants do not exhibit any sign of growth.
The typical first response is blame. Either you blame yourself for getting the wrong tree or you blame the nursery you got it from for selling you poor stock. But oftentimes, the reason for their restricted growth lies in how they are planted and the way you care for them. Let’s explore some common causes of why trees and large plants fail to grow.
WRONG LOCATION OR PLANTING SEASON
Not every plant is a year-round grower. Some trees are seasonal and hence require suitable atmospheric conditions to grow. Planting a tree in its off-season inhibits growth as the soil temperature is not right. Warm-season plants flourish in spring, while cool-season crops grow best in fall. Take this into consideration when planting new trees or large plants.
Similarly, planting a tree in the wrong location can also cease its growth. You should avoid planting young trees in a windy area as it can easily damage them. Similarly, you should always pair it with compatible plants as competitive shrubs can hinder its growth.
TRANSPLANT SHOCK
One of the biggest reasons why a tree or large plant ceases to grow is its failure to establish itself in a new location. Whenever you relocate a plant from one place to another, the change causes stress to the plant. While stronger plants overcome the transplantation shock fairly quickly, if yours is weak, it will suffer from the stress and take a while to establish itself before it starts to grow. Let it do it on its own.
You can reduce the stress by replicating the previous growing environment as much as possible. It is also important to water your plant thoroughly because the root should stay moist during the procedure. Plus, proper watering also lowers the chances of transplantation shock.
HARSH CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
Weather conditions these days are truly unpredictable. There are days when we experience unseasonal heat in winter and freezing nights in summer. Such rapid seasonal changes are also debilitating for trees and plants.
Sunlight, average winds, and moisture are all important for proper growth. It’s the harsh climatic conditions like high winds, excessive moisture, and lightning that cause problems. And sometimes the damage isn’t noticeable until the tree fails to leaf out in spring. Be sure to keep your trees safe from such conditions.
INCORRECT WATERING
Water is the most critical element for plants because it is essential for plant processes like seed germination, transportation of nutrients, support, photosynthesis, and transpiration. Each plant has its own watering needs. Under or over-watering can stress the plant causing its growth to stop.
If you are unsure about how much water your tree needs, invest in a tree water bag to find the right balance for you. These bags wrap around the trees and are filled with a hose. Once the bag is installed, it directs the water to the plant’s root system preventing both overwatering and underwatering.
IMPROPER LIGHT EXPOSURE
Light is another vital element in plant growth because it plays an important role in photosynthesis. But, you should also regulate light exposure as too much light can burn your plant, and too little slows down its growth.
The key to proper growth is to find the right balance. You can do so by carefully considering the location that suits their lighting needs. Trees that need full sunlight should be planted in a location without any obstruction, and shade-loving plants near walls or fences.
FINAL WORDS
Now that you know the reasons behind your tree’s restricted growth, you can work out a strategy to help it out. Remember, plants are also living beings so they also need care and love to flourish, so never neglect their needs.