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Dear LariAnn: Probably, you may not remember me, but I purchased 2 7- feet tall Rainbows from you about 3-4 years ago. You guys kindly delivered them to me in Pembroke Falls (I had to have delivery while my wife was away, as I had been ordered not to buy them - she is a convert, now), and kindly added some gorgeous, hearty Heliconia (thriving to the point of near absurdity!)
The Rainbows are now about 35 -40 feet in altitude. Trunk diameters are approximately 7 inches. They are, not surprisingly, beautiful.I was away, and the irrigation system broke - no water for about 2.5 weeks. The lower branches have lost all leaves, and the upper canopy is sporadic - many leaves, but enough in the process of dying to be concerned.
The irrigation system is being repaired today, May 11, and will be ready for use.
I have been using soaker hoses since Friday, from 4 to 8 hours daily. I have laid the hose in concentric "rings", about 2 feet apart, starting fairly close (1 foot) of the trunk.
Some questions: The typical exposed top roots have been covered over by about 2-3 inches of soil/sand mixture; this was done 2 months ago when a new lawn was seeded ("Canada Green").
Covering the roots seems uneventful.
I am concerned about the extensive leaf loss. Is it reasonable to expect recovery?
What is the best way to treat these stressed trees (the one planted in the 4x4x4 vault lakeside is in much better shape)?
What fertilizer is best to use, and frequency of application?
Is/are other chemical treatment(s) that should be performed?
Since planting, the colors have been brown and a pale green - no other colors. I believe these colors can change with time, but is there chemical application that can hasten changes to other colors, such as occurs with hortensia when aluminum sulphate is added.
In addition to occasional fertilization, I have been using (twice annually) a growth hormone.
Any answers you can provide will be appreciated. Should there be a charge for the consultation, please let me know, and I will send the check. Should there be n charge, then I would like to send a small check to the Arioid development of which I have read (the 2 I purchased are spectacular!). To whom do I make the check, and where do I send it?
Also, I am interested in purchasing a few more (and different) giant aroids. We live near Sheridan Street, and the noise is quite bothersome; it will increase as the street is about to be widened. I believe some more aroids, planted in an overlapping stagger, will help reduce the bothersome traffic noise. Hence, I will appreciate it if you would send me some suggestions and delivered prices (I do not expect them to be hand delivered, as so kindly before).
I hope all is well with you and yours - is your son of college age yet? Does he want to follow into agronomy?
Have read a few things by/about you from time to time - keep up the good work.
Of course I remember you, and I'm delighted to hear from you and to hear about how the plants are doing.
I'll begin by addressing your concerns reference the Rainbows. This time of year, they do seem to lose more leaves than usual, and it is likely due to the fact that this is the dry season. Our large Rainbows have lost leaves but so long as there are new and green leaves still on the tree, you don't have a problem. I suggest that you make the effort to stretch out a hose and soak the Rainbow that is furthest from the lake, making sure the water soaks in and doesn't run off. This should be done every other day if you can. Sprinkler systems work fine for grass but will not water deeply enough for a Rainbow.
The lack of many colors on the trunk is another symptom of the tree not receiving enough water. Our big Rainbows are growing in a situation where the roots have access to groundwater year round, and so we have good colors year round as well even without supplemental watering. Ample water is the only chemical I know of that will enhance coloration on Rainbows. Other than that, we have found that they don't need any other chemical treatments.
As for fertilizer, I recommend refraining from fertilizing these trees as they are very good at extracting nutrients from existing soil. If you fertilize, you run the risk of burning the feeder roots because the trees generally do not need extra fertilizer unless your soil is very poor. I do suggest the use of chelated iron if the new leaves come out yellowish or pale. When I mix up what I call 'Rainbow Joy Juice', I add 1 tsp Geigy 138 (red chelated iron), 1/4 tsp Geigy chelated manganese and a dash (1/2 tsp) of soluble fertilizer (much lower than label rate) per 1 gallon water, but I would use it only once per year or if a deficiency becomes evident.
As for large aroids, I do have a few that would work well for you. Are you considering a visit to pick out some? Reason I ask is that it helps to see the plants to be sure that they will meet your needs, and also because the larger ones might be too large to ship economically. I have a number of sizes and if you have a time frame within which you'd like to obtain the plants, we could agree on an arrangement, In this way I would custom grow for you the sizes and quantity of plants for your needs if existing stock is not adequate to do the job for you.
Thanks for asking about my son; he is still in high school studies, finishing up the 10th grade. Seems like just yesterday he was in diapers; incredible!
I don't charge for consultations unless I come by in person, but if you wish to send a check to support the Aroidia Research effort, you can leave the "pay to" blank and send it to me at 429 S.W. 3rd Avenue, Florida City, FL 33034.
