Question by GreenBoy96: Is my Sequoia a goner?
Ok so I purchased a Sequoia germination kit from Johnsteen Seed Company and started it over winter break. I had to stratify it for 20 days. Soon after bringing it into a warm green house I noticed a small root on the side of the clear kit. A couple days later a few green needles (I know they aren’t needles) poked throw. I then transplanted it into a larger pot. In doing this I think I broke part of the root. Now (the next day) The tips of the short needles are looking not too good… Is it too late or is there something I can do?
Best answer:
Answer by Tracy Tittles
A tree will always seek a precise balance between uptake and transpiration of water. Leaves transpire and lift the water through the plant from through the roots. If this delicate chain of water molecules is broken it is next to impossible to repair UNLESS. You can soak the plant.
Normal life a tree will turn leaves brown and drop them when stressed. If you ever see a tree full of brown leaves it is very likely dead.
So your itty bitty sapling is trying to save itself by dropping its transpiring needles/leaves. Let it soak over night completely under water. I have soaked plants for as long as a week but I doubt a small sapling as yours will handle that long, nor need that long.
Additional is the common mistake of OVER watering. Soil should be moist and not wet. Should be even with the top of the pot to prevent stagnate micro climate down inside the pot causing rot. And form a small bowl to hold water from pouring down the inside edge of the pot before the plant can get it but instead move the water to the middle where it will soak its way through the soil.
For small pots I just dip them in a bucket full of my nutrient rich concoction for about 2 mins and pull them out to drain back into the bucket on a screen.
One last tip. Any plant in a green house needs to be hardened off. They are protected from the Sun’s ultraviolet light. Set it out each day for an hour. Increase it 30 mins each day and the little thing will be strong enough to handle the Sun then.
What do you think? Answer below!