my pine needs help quickly

Question

Hi, our church was renovating the courtyard and tearing out stuff and a 35+ y/o Kobe (sp?) pine was removed. I’d asked for it, so they saved it for me, but I was out of town, so it lay exposed on the afternoon sheltered side of the building from 6/7 until 6/10. I’d thrown gallons of water on what was left of the roots and covered it with burlap and soaked that, beginning the 8th until we planted it. I tried to load it myself but couldn’t, so we had to wait until the 10th to get someone to help me get it in the truck.

We have sandy soil. We’ve had 2 opinions of what to do to try to save it, keep water on it (landscaper who helped load it), and only water every other day (crusty old nurseryman). We began the back off of water and now needles are drying out and turning brown with some life still in some of them. We’ve started watering every day again. Our days have been in the 100s and windy (central CA). What’s the answer? Apparently I don’t even know how to spell it (Kobe), as I can’t find anything online (thought I’d better try to see if I can buy one somewhere if it doesn’t make it).

In prepping the soil I placed alfalfa meal, potting soil and miracle grow timed release granules in the ground and soaked the hole fully before transplanting, then added B1 in water 2X now. Praying too :). I’ve always loved that little bush. Do you have any help you can give me? Thanks very much.

Answer 1

I would give it as much water as you can for at least a few weeks. To be honest, at those temps, I would water 2x a day for a few weeks. Give it some bone meal to help with root growth.

If you can, the plant would appreciate shade on the canopy (while it establishes) and mulch around the roots.