Help, my blue spruce bush looks like it is dying the branches are turning a pink color. definately not brown?
Question:They are also curling up. But there is new growth. I think it is over fertilized...What do you think
Answers:
What do you define as a Bush? Is this a tree or a Topilary or a Shrub?
Fear not. Let me know what it is exactly and what it was you did before and since to help it. The fact that it has what is known as CandleGrowth is a great sign!
A two time a year feeding of a Granular Acidic Fert is fine for this plant. It very well be overferted given the action and color of the plant. Let us hope it is not a Topilary planting. The others will recover in due time.
Calm down and realize that any color planting tend to loose their natural color for a few to three years. The Blue color plantings in particular. I will give you that pink is different. I hope you kept either the receipt or the address of the planter as all are under warranty for a year.
The curling up and change in color are probably due to transplant shock. Leave the planting alone. Begin watering the plant a minimum of three foot from the dripline of the plant.
Water at 1" per week until mid-fall. Water at this rate around the entire plant and mulch with a shreeded hardwood mulch at 2" now. Mulch from the dripline to within, but not beyond two inches of the trunk of the plant.
The watering will make the roots grow out. The depth of the watering will make the roots grow down and stronger. The mulch will keep the water in the soil longer and compete with the weeds. If you think it is overfert. simply do not fert again until next fall.
Examine how much fert you placed in the hole and around the unit. I pray you did not use a spray to fert the planting after transplant. For the first three to five years you need Granular on any Evergreen.
At worst it is an experience. Remember they all go through transplant shock, however, if in Mid-Sept it looks the same get a replacement and do not do the same again. By watering away from the base you will reduce the curling of the branches. Think of grass. The deeper the root the thicker and higher the growth. The deeper the root and further away the root from a tree the healthier it is. The color is not so much a problem as the curling.
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