It is generally recommended to not use power equipment such as gas hedgers to prune Baby Blue Spruce or any plant in my opinion.Colorado Blue Spruce is one of the best-looking evergreen accent trees, but not everyone has enough room for its soaring height. A sharp cut will heal quicker than a jagged cut, which will also minimize the likelihood of disease investing a cut during pruning. Knives, hand cutters, saws, and shears should be sharpened if necessary before pruning any plants. It is important to always use sharp tools when pruning Baby Blue Spruce or any plant for that matter. Pruning should always be associated with re-invigorating a plant by allowing it to focus its energies on producing more vigorous branches, foliage, and flowers. Many times, a plant may outgrow its intended size in the landscape, and must be pruned to re-define its purpose. The main reason for pruning laurels such as Baby Blue Spruce is to re-define the plant’s definition within the landscape. Removing the dead and dying limbs will minimize the possibility of diseases such as “die back” and will also allow the plant to re-concentrate its energies and produce many more foliage. The most important reason for pruning Baby Blue Spruce is to improve the overall health of the plant which in turn will reward you with a flush of new growth. Pruning a specific plant to look a specific way, involves art in creating a unique definition for a specific plant, and it involves science in understanding the physical growing habits of the plant to be pruned. Pruning has been described as a “combination of art and science.” I personally find pruning to be one of the most relaxing yet rewarding chores in the garden. When we specifically look at pruning with regards to Spruce, this misunderstanding and negligence can be magnified. In general gardening terms, pruning is probably the most misunderstood gardening chore, and certainly, the chore that is most likely neglected. Soaker Hoses can also be used to water when planting a long hedge.īaby Blue Spruce is an evergreen that should be pruned in the late spring to maintain the shape and height of the plant. can be used to help aid in this process and also provide plants with a good soaking due to the slow release of the water into the root-zone of the plant. Water at the base of the plant near the soil line only. We like to tell folks that when watering Spruce or any plant for that matter its best not to water the foliage of the plant. You’ll want to water the bushes regularly after planting until they’ve been well established. Water using the counting method for the first few weeks. Check the plant daily for the first week or so and then every other day there after. For example a one gallon pot would be watered until you count to 5 a three gallon pot would be 15 and so on. A general rule of thumb is to count to 5 for every one gallon of pot size. Most of the water you put on the plant at first will run away from the plant until the soil is soaked. Organic additions to the soil can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect.Īfter back filling and lightly compacting the 50/50 mix of existing soil and compost give the Baby Blue Spruce a good deep watering. Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots, produces excellent results and also improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully. As mentioned one spring application of a balanced fertilizer should more than suffice. In the South, a late summer into September application would be about right. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. Fall is the time for spruce to begin preparing for dormancy. Don’t fertilize Baby Blue Spruce after August in the North. Baby Blue Spruce benefits from an fertilizer which can help raise the acid level of the soil such as Holly-Tone by Espoma. Plants such as Baby Blue Spruce grow best if they are fertilized once in the spring and again in early summer.Baby Blue Spruce favors nutrient rich soil and ample fertilization.
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