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Posted 1Y ago by @Psirony

Planted this kieffer pear tree two days ago; should I be ...

When I planted this, I saw the little bits shooting up at the bottom and they were green. Two days later, they’ve turned brown. It doesn’t have any other branches or leaves right now, so I don’t know whether she’s dying in real time or what #PearTree
16ft to light, direct
20” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
@Psirony To care for a potted Kieffer pear tree outdoors, ensure it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, water deeply but allow the soil to dry out between waterings, and fertilize lightly in the spring. It does look as if it was not replanted at the same depth as in the original pot? I indicated (with the green arrows) what the previous soil line was??
Yes, when repotting a Kieffer pear tree, it's crucial to ensure the graft union (the swelling where the variety meets the rootstock) is positioned 2 to 4 inches above the soil line, not at the original soil line. Here's a more detailed explanation:
Why the graft union matters:
The graft union is a vital part of the tree, and if it's buried, it can lead to problems like girdling roots and eventual tree decline.
Proper planting depth:
Dig a hole that's twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the original soil line of the plant in the pot.
Root preparation:
For potted trees, inspect the root systems for encircling woody roots. If woody roots are wrapped around in a circle, straighten them or make several cuts through the root ball before planting. Root preparation:
For potted trees, inspect the root systems for encircling woody roots. If woody roots are wrapped around in a circle, straighten them or make several cuts through the root ball before planting.
Backfilling:
Mix in compost, peat moss, or other organic matter to the back-fill soil, but don't use straight topsoil or compost, as they could retain too much moisture and cause root rot.
Watering:
After planting, water thoroughly to remove any air pockets and help the roots settle.
Mulching:
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Happy Growing!
@Ms.Persnickety the soil line in the bag was roughly at or in the middle of the graft union there, so should I have planted it shallower or deeper?
@Psirony It should be positioned 2 to 4 inches above the soil line.
@Ms.Persnickety so I’ll maybe move it a bit higher then
@Psirony Iβ€˜m sorry but from the photo it’s hard to judge the height. I would measure it. My three finger width is approximately 3β€œ. But I have small hands!