Question:
I have a Japanese Maple Tree purchased and planted two years ago. My concern is that all of the new growth of this tree is green instead of the red variety I bought.Answer:
- Red leafed Japanese Maples are grafted or budded and are not growing on their roots. The rootstock for these varieties is the common Acer Palmatum, the green leaf Maple.
- It's typical for the red leaf varieties to send up green, rogue shoots, or suckers during the growing season. They're an aggressive grower and will dominate the canopy, disturbing the tree's symmetry. if you don't remove them.
- To encourage new growth, don't use a high nitrogen fertilizer. They are not heavy feeders, so apply a slow-release organic fertilizer such as Happy Frog Japanese Maples Food or similar fertilizer. Also, your first application should be made after the new growth has emerged in the spring.
Question:
My neighbor is raising chickens for the eggs and offered me some chicken manure. I've been advised to wait two to four weeks before using it because the chicken manure is considered "hot manure ." I'm not familiar with the term "hot manure" So, what is it?Answer:
- ’ Hot Manure' refers to animal waste by-product that has not been aged or composted. Typically, animals whose diet contains no red meat, such as chicken, horse, sheep, and rabbits, produce high nitrogen waste.
- The raw manure releases nitrogen compounds and ammonia, which burn plant roots and young plants and interfere with seed germination; hence, they need to be aged or composted. Composting mellows the nitrogen and makes the manure suitable for the gardens. In other words, don't put raw manure directly on garden soils.
- Also, no matter what kind of 'hot manure' you use, use it as a soil amendment, not a mulch. It can be added to your compost pile or mixed with the native soil. When amending the soil for root crops, apply about one cubic foot per hundred square feet. If you overdo it, you'll get lush top growth and little carrots, beets, radishes, etcetera.
- Chicken fertilizer is desirable for its nitrogen, but it also contains a good amount of potassium and phosphorus, but use it in moderation. Chicken manure can be used after four to six weeks, but you should wait six months with the other animals. However, there is one exception. Many gardeners spread fresh manure in the fall and turn it into the top six inches of soil a month before spring planting. This is assuming your no planting a fall garden or have a lot of room.