Makris Garden

Makris Garden - 5889 Sierra Grande - Bodega Bay

Monterey Cypress - (Cupressus Macrocarpa)	Emerald Green Thuja - (Thuja Occidentalis)
Wheeler's Dwarf Pittosporum - (Pitto. Tobria)	Royal Robe Potato Bush (Solanum Rantonetti)
'Aztec Plum Magic' (Verbena)	Salvia
Sungold - Golden Sunset (Coleonema)	Mexican Feathergrass
	Spanish Lavender - Madrid Purple
Phorum Hybrids	Per-Santolina Incana 'Nana' - Dwarf Lavender Cotton
	Myoporum - Front Door
Tulbaghia Violacea - Silver Lace (Agapanthus)	Osteospermum White
Europspect Shrub Daisy

Contact Nick - Email or 707-875-9249

General Soil PH Information

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Monterey Cypress - Cupressus Macrocarpa

Problem Overview - recently completed a new home project on the coast of Northern California, that included the Sonoma County mandated requirement for 40+ new trees on what was formerly pasture land overlooking the ocean.

The trees (5 gallons when planted) have been in the ground for almost 2 years and have not progressed very well. They are (were supposed to be) Macrocarpa Cupressus or Monterrey Cypress (MC). Photos below.

As part of my investigation of this problem (more in a moment) I tried to identify them as truly MC and not some other variety. I have several other of MC trees that came from the wild that are on the same drip system, some older and larger and some smaller and younger and those trees are all doing fine. The trees in question all have a smaller than pinhead white spot (that is easily scraped off with an exacto knife) on each of the sections of new growth and that remain there until the growth dies - as all new growth on these trees does.

At present, there is only new growth on the top of the trees (most are about 3+' tall). A neighbor recently planted 300+/- 1 gallon trees on his acreage and all are taller and most are healthy and without the white spots.

So, a couple of questions:

Are the white spots indicative of a variety of Cypress or is it indicative of the problem from which they are suffering.

Personally I think there are multiple considerations that are contributing to the problem. Note the first photo below. On the surface, this tree (sacrificed and in a bucket) seems to evidence similar symptoms to the pictured trees further down, but is missing the galls and resin seepage. The interesting thing about the root ball is that it is no larger (was a 5 gallon and could be smaller now) than when planted two years ago and appears to be root bound.

The trees have all (both the problem trees and the others referred above) been drip irrigated with the same twice a week application of about 1.5 gallons per. I changed the emitters at the end of last summer to provide a more circular pattern and they seemed to do much better until the fall rains began and I turned off the drip system - they are now the worst I have seen them. Of course, this is the point in time that the trees become dormant for winter. I don't think they have had too much water, but I could be wrong. I have examined the roots of two other of the trees - one as described above (root bound?) and the other (with the gall and resin symptoms) had a normal looking root structure.

On many of the trees the branches at the juncture of the trunk have a slight thickening (galling).

Finally, the neighbor's trees are not bitten/munched on by our herds of local deer, but these trees all seem to be enjoyed by the deer as do my other trees from other sources.

Here is a list of possible contibuting factors:

Fungi, Deer (both nibbling and velvet rubbing), Wind and Method of planting (hole too small for 5 gallon?)

The photos below are of various trees.

Appreciate any and all help.........

Many thanks, Nick

Contact Nick - Email or 707-875-9249

Canker & Root Rot Discussion

Phomopsis Treatment Info

Phomopsis Description - Excellent

Another Phomopsis Description - Also Excellent

Cypress Problem - Arborists Forum Discussion

Probably root bound - was planted as a 5 gallon

This plant is the same plant that the close up to the right is of. The presence on the bulge is common among the effected trees.

Sap has been found seeping from many branches of all the effected trees.

This plant is the same plant that the close up to the right is of. Note the regularity of the spots. One on each scale, except for the very newest growth.

This plant is the same plant as the left one. Note the pattern of white spots on all growth, both live and dead.......

This plant received all the same treatment as the plants in the two photos direcly below.

This plant received all the same treatment as the plants in the two photo direcly below.

This plant was planted from the same group at the same time and under the same conditions as the two in the photos above. It received the same treatement as those trees except that it was never munched on by the local deer.

This health tree has also been munched on by the local deer. It was transplanted from a 5 gallon bucket that it was kept in for 2 years - at the same time and under the same conditions as the two in the photos above.

	Name: Monterey Cypress - Cupressus Macrocarpa
	Type: Evergreen
	Shade/Sun exposure: Love the sun
	Wind:Can handle the wind, once established
	Water: Mixed information??? very drought tolerant (though does well with watering, too). They grow even in dry and infertile, acid or alkaline soils, in full sun. It requires regular water. Water during dry spells in the first few years. Older trees are drought-tolerant.
	PH: 4.00 to 7.00
	Other Links: Good Monterey Cypress write-up
	Diseases: This tree is susceptible to coryneum canker fungus, for which there is no cure. Control of cankers consists chiefly in cutting out and burning affected parts. Badly infected trees may require complete removal.
	Pests: Cypresses may be infested with aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, and scale insects. All can be controlled by washing with soap solution or with appropriate chemical spray.
	Deer favorites: Deer like the new young shoots and like to use the small branches/trunk to rub the velvet from new antlers. This causes almost certain death to young trees/limbs.

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	Name: Pittosporum - Wheeler's Dwarf
	Type: Low Compact Shrub - blooms in the spring - best appearance when not trimmed
	Shade/Sun exposure: Full sun ok
	Wind:
	Water: Regularly
	PH: Doing well in a neutral 7.0 and a little mulch when planted.
	Deer favorites: Deer like the new young shoots as you can see by the wire screen.

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This tree is so adaptable and versatile; the possibilities are endless, making Emerald Green Thuja an extremely popular hedge tree

	Name: Emerald Green Thuja - (Thuja Occidentalis)
	Type: Evergreen - 10-20' depending on variety
	Shade/Sun exposure: Full or partial sun
	Wind: Highly tolerant
	Water: Drought tolerant
	PH: Very adaptable
	Deer favorites: Not

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	Name: Royal Robe Potato Bush (Solanum Rantonetti)
	Type: Dark purple flowers in Summer - 6-8' Tall and Wide - Prune regularly during winter
	Shade/Sun exposure: Full sun
	Wind: Highly tolerant
	Water: Regularly during the first season
	PH: Very adaptable
	Deer favorites: Not

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Name: 'Aztec Plum Magic' (Verbena)

Type: Dark purple flowers Spring to Fall - 18-24" Tall & Wide - Perennial Ground cover. Verbenas are mainly grown for their remarkable length of bloom with most blooming from spring until close to frost if trimmed back once or twice in mid summer. Flower color ranges from white through pink, red, lavender, blue and purple.

Shade/Sun exposure: Full sun and uncrowded growing conditions

Wind: Highly tolerant

Water: Regularly during the first season.

	Newly planted verbenas will need to be kept moist for the first few weeks until the roots have spread into the surrounding soil.
	While established verbenas are drought tolerant, performance, bloom, and growth rate will be reduced if they are too dry for a long period. During their blooming period, give them a thorough watering once a week if they do not receive an inch of rain that week. Avoid overhead watering.
	If bloom slows during the summer, trim the whole plant back by about one fourth of its height and spread, water thoroughly and fertilize lightly. The plant will return to bloom within 2 to 3 weeks.
	A light application of a complete fertilizer such as 16-4-8 in mid to late spring and again after trimming back will revitalize plants, but additional fertilization is not generally required. Plants growing in very sandy, poor soil may need more frequent fertilization.
	In the fall you can trim back verbenas lightly to give a neater appearance to the garden, but do not cut severely until spring as new growth begins to appear. Overly severe fall pruning can reduce cold hardiness and plants may not survive a cold winter. Most verbenas are short- lived, so you should plan on replacing them after two or three years. However, some species can re-seed and naturalize in the garden.
	Verbenas, especially the trailing and moss types, grow very well in containers. Fertilize container grown plants either with a controlled release fertilizer, or with a liquid fertilizer once a month. Container grown plants should be watered more frequently, and not allowed to dry out.

PH:

Problems: Verbenas can suffer from a variety of problems, They must have well-drained soil. They will not tolerate overcrowding with poor air circulation, shade or soil that stays overly moist.

	Most problems occur when they are grown in low light, poorly drained soil, or when the soil stays excessively moist from excessive watering. Poor air circulation from over crowded conditions can also lead to disease problems.
	Powdery mildew appears as a white powder fungus on the surfaces of leaves. It most often infects verbena that does not receive enough sunlight, or is under stress from severe drought or other causes.
	Botrytis blight often occurs under overly moist conditions. Flowers turn brown and sometimes a gray, fuzzy fungus is visible.
	Root rot cause by Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungus may occur in overly moist soil.
	Verbenas are relatively pest free. Aphids, whitefly, thrips, leaf miners and mites are the most common pests. Mites are most common in plants that are severely drought stressed.Snails and slugs are an occasional problem. They are worse during wet spells or if plants are heavily mulched.

Deer favorites: Not

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	Name: Sungold - Golden Sunset (Coleonema)
	Type: Juniper
	Shade/Sun exposure: Half to Full sun
	Wind: Highly tolerant
	Care and watering: ‘Sungold’ is a dwarf golden threadleaf cultivar. It is truly one of the most interesting plants to have in the landscape or garden. Like most everyone else, when I walk past a Sungold Cypress in the garden, I have to stop, admire, and gaze in awe at its incredible beauty. Its golden evergreen scale-like needles cling to weeping or semi-weeping branches. In summer it is very green, having good winter yellows if placed in a sunny location. New spring growth also emerges bright yellow. (Better and more consistant gold color then the regular gold cypress) They do not like wet or poorly draining soils. They're somewhat drought tolerant once established, but will need moist well draining fertile soil for the first couple years to properly establish, & even then their drought tolerance shouldn't be too awfully tested during long rainless summers. Most of its many dwarf cultivars do not produce cones, but 'Sungold' when very mature might do so. With moderate pruning 'Sungold' can be restrained to about any small size required, but if left to go wild could very slowly but eventually reach eight feet of height, & considerably wider, with flattening top. An easy to grow and easy to maintain evergreen. Excellent mop-like form that makes a nice accent for the border or small hedge. Full sun. Slow grower to 5 to 6 feet tall, 7 to 8 feet wide Care Instructions Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Provide well drained soil, rich in organic matter. Feed with an acid fertilizer after bloom. Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch.
	PH: A little on the acid side
	Deer favorites: Not

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	Name: Spanish Lavender - Madrid Purple
	Links: Link to a good definition with photos The Allure of Lavender
	Type: 18-24"
	Shade/Sun exposure: Full sun
	Wind: Highly tolerant
	Water: Drought tolerant once established - needs little water and little fertilization
	PH: 6.5 and 7.5. If the soil is too acidic the Lavender will not thrive. If the soil is too alkaline, the nutrients are 'tied' up in the soil and the plant cannot use them. Yellowed growth can be indicative of a soil that is out of balance. Adding compost can help to balance the PH.
	Notes: Plants do best with a good pruning about four or five weeks into the bloom cycle, discouraging these large Lavender bushes from becoming untidy and encouraging a second sweep of blooms.
	Deer favorites: Not

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Dwarf Lavender Cotton-i.jpg (134978 bytes)

	Name: Per-Santolina Incana 'Nana' - Dwarf Lavender Cotton
	Links: Good description
	Type: 8-11" high - spread is about 1 meter
	Shade/Sun exposure: Full sun
	Wind: Tolerant, but like some shelter
	Water: ??Drought tolerant once established - needs little water and little fertilization
	PH: Acid, Alkaline and Neutral
	Care: Follow wregular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring . For a formal appearance , shear annually after flowering.
	Propagation Methods: Seed and semi-hardwood cuttings
	Notes: Generally pest and disease free.
	Deer favorites: Not

______________________________________________________________________________Osteospermum White

Shrubby spreading plants covered with Daisylike flower. Deer like the young flower/shoots.

full sun - 30" apart - grows to 12" tall

Agapanthus - most blooms - June 2008 - drought year

Dwarf Lavender Cotton

Link to Taylor Hill