My Dwarf Alberta Spruce that had been doing great for the past 9 years died rather suddenly. I would like to know what could have caused this and also if I can safely plant something in the space the spruce was in? I have noticed a lot of evidence of moles in the area.
It would be hard to say what killed it without knowing what kind of symptoms it had. But, if you are seeing increased mole activity in the area, there may be a pest attacking the roots. Moles do not eat the roots of plants, but they do eat the pests that may do this. Check the area for grubs and also check the roots of the plant for damage. This will indicate if the plant was killed by pests pr not.
It is likely fine to plant something else there. As a precaution, treat the soil with a pesticide to kill anything that may have attacked the roots of the plant.
I have a miniature blue spruce that I transplanted from the nursery flowerpot to a larger (16 width x 15 deep) clay flowerpot. I keep the plant on my terrace where it gets maybe one hour of morning sun, and then open shade for the day. Upon transplanting, I added 5 quarts of water. Three hours later, only 1/2 inches of water drained from the bottom. This week (one week later) I gave it 2 quarts of water. Nothing drained from the bottom. How much water should this arrangement require? Do I have a drainage problem?
When you are planting a tree in a container you are making that tree totally reliant on you for nutrients and water. Give it water daily in weather under 30C and twice daily in weather over 30C.I n hot weather, you will most likely need to water once, maybe twice a day. You should water it until you see the water coming from the bottom. If there is little to no water coming out, check the drainage and fix as needed. Without proper drainage, the tree will rot and die. Also, make sure that you regularly feed your tree once a month with a water based fertilizer or once every three months with a slow release.
They're 2'-3' tall and planted in my nursery. Now I want to dig and put them in containers.
Just dig up the root ball with as much of the soil as possible and put it in a large enough container to accommodate the roots (likely 2- to 5-gallon pots). Mix in some well-draining potting soil and ensure that the container also provides adequate drainage. The following articles should also help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/how-to-grow-container-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/growing-trees-in-containers.htm
What plants will grow well beneath a blue spruce tree?
I would look for shade tolerant plants and ground covers for growing under trees. The following articles should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/xeriscape/xeriscape-shade-plants-plants-for-dry-shade.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/shade-tolerant-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/finding-a-shade-loving-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/ground-covers-for-shade.htm
I've had the same problem..have tried several shade plants but they don't seem to spread at all.... the only thing I've had success with is Forget me Nots which grow prolifically but of course, last only for a short time in the spring. When they finish blooming, I simply mow them with the mower pointed under the tree and they spread quite well....usually the foliage (but not flowers) grow up again before the fall) Each season, I also rake the needles out from under the spruce trees to expose the soil . It seems to help with absorbtion of water...I use the needles to make a path between/around the trees...it looks good and the FmN still grow up through them.
I have planted (from seeds) Colorado blue spruce trees. They are still in pots and are 18 to 24 in. high. Do I now plant them in the garden or leave them in pots to put in the shed in case the weather gets too cold?
Yes, since they are still quite young and tender, I would allow them to overwinter in the pots until spring. These trees are typically hardy to zones 2-8, so the cold itself should not be an issue. In a container, however, plants experience weather more like zones one lower because they do not have as much protection from the cold for the roots as plants in the ground.
To be on the safe side, the roots may still require some protection during the most extreme temps in winter by wrapping the container in blankets, bubble wrap, or quilt batting. Alternatively, you could simply move them to an unheated garage if it gets too bad outside, or if the container they are in is not really cold hardy (such as with clay or terra cotta). As long as the roots are protected though, they should live through the winter just fine as is.
How do you grow Norwegian spruce from seed and how easy/successful is propagation?
This article should answer your question: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/pine/how-to-grow-a-pine-tree-from-seed.htm
We have 3 very large spruce trees that are empty of needles inside. I can actually stand inside the tree (some lower branches have been removed). Just the tips that reach the sun have any needles. What can I do? Should the bare inside branches be removed?
It could be cytospora canker. This article addresses the subject: https://urbanext.illinois.edu/focus/cytosporacanker.cfm