Care for Wax Myrtles

Question

We just planted four wax myrtles. We loosened soil around location, added cow manure and fertilized. They are 4 to 5′. The existing leaves look burned. Are they just in shock from being planted?

Answer 1

Wax myrtle roots do not like to be disturbed. Burned leaves may be a sign of shock. Also, it sounds like you gave them a double dose of nitrogen by using both fertilizer and cow manure. There may be an element of fertilizer burn to the leaf issue. Water the plants very well to get some of the nitrogen to leach out. Newly planted trees/shrubs shouldn’t receive lots of nitrogen. The plant needs to first focus on root establishment (phosphorus, potassium and time) before being expected to send up new green growth (nitrogen). Otherwise, the immature root system can’t support the new growth . If your problem persists, please write again and include a picture if you can.