Hi! We planted a crab apple in the garden about 3 years ago, and, apart from a profusion of blossom every spring, it has never looked really healthy. Once the blossom finishes, the leaves generally dry up and look dead. The leaves are very sparse this year too. We did have doubts when we planted it as the drainage is very poor and I think maybe it's a combination of a very dry winter and spring followed by too much rain and it's probably now sitting with its roots waterlogged. My question is, should I transplant it to my lottie, where I have nice deep soil, good drainage and plenty of space, and if so, when would be the best time to do this?
Hmm...if it haven't produced nice looking growth by now..I doubt it will.. :-\ And your suspicion of the soil condition being 'culprit' for it sounds like possible reason for it.
Usually crab apples are tough plants and grow almost anywhere...but bad drainage won't allow good root system so not much top growth then neither.
If you fancy transplanting your tree to your lottie, you could do it now..ground it nice and 'moist.. ::) After planting give it little trim my reducing some of the longer branches to 'compensate' any root loss. Insure you keep the soil moist this summer and it should settle fine.
Usual tranplanting time is during dormant period..but as your tree is still young and haven't settled in where it is now...there is nothing lost if it should sulk a bit by being done 'wrong' time of the year.
Thanks for your encouragement Goodlife- I guess we have nothing to lose so will go for it.
We need to put something else in its place-am thinking a rose maybe?
What ever you choose to replace it with..you need to sort any drainage issues with the spot. Even though roses do like 'heavy' soils..they will still need reasonable drainage for their roots..well most of the plants do, part from rice.. ::)
If you are able to dig the old planting hole bit deeper and wider..maybe fork some grit in and add plenty of 'good stuff' you would have good start for a rose.. ;)