Reading the Tree Leaves

[cornfed]

I got very similar advice as above. I think I just need to hope this one survives the winter and use an acidic fertilizer next year.

It could be over watering too, I water every day, or every other day. But I'm not sure. It is an air pruning pot, so tons of drainage. I water so often because this guy always seems to be dry, I think the roots filled up the pot and it slakes the water down.

 

[penumbra]

I got very similar advice as above. I think I just need to hope this one survives the winter and use an acidic fertilizer next year.

It could be over watering too, I water every day, or every other day. But I'm not sure. It is an air pruning pot, so tons of drainage. I water so often because this guy always seems to be dry, I think the roots filled up the pot and it slakes the water down.

View attachment 400091

Fast response but not what I was expecting to hear. Those brown patches are not chlorosis, though that may have been an initial concern.
I am certain it is not a root problem. It would be very hard to over water a mulberry.
You might consider showing your plant to a knowledgeable nursery worker if you can. Otherwise, clean it up for winter and be prepared to hit it with a fungicide and an insecticide next year. It seems to me that these mulberry issues are more pronounced in summer than the are in spring. My had beautiful foliage and grew quite vigorously in the spring. looked kinda crappy in the summer (probably leaf spot) and had new fresh late summer / early autumn growth. I will definitely be treating mine next year.
Best of luck.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Thank you Leo. That is sound advice.

After reading what you and others have written on this thread I believe I have found the path to rectify my fertilization mistakes. I will still fertilize weekly, but with a fertilizer that has micronutrients. Maybe even dilute it and do it twice a week.

This year I used Shultz 20-20-20 weekly in the spring and early summer. Every-other week in late summer. I don't think that has any micronutrients. I did use a fertilizer with micronutrients on three occasions. And Fish Emulsion once (resulting in a beagle attack on a JM). There might've been a light dusting of Osmocote early on there as well. It all sounds kind of scattershot when I type it out, although a couple of the species seemed to really like my non-strategy.

They were all potted in 3:3:2:2, sifted pine bark, Turface, DE and #2 Grit. I don't know it's pH for sure, but it is very fast draining.

I do have the water quality report. It says I have around 100ppm Calcium Carbonate and 400ppm dissolved solids. Do you think Blueberry Special would work well for my conditions?

Your water is not that bad, but my Blueberry Special would work well. I do use it on everything, even though I mainly reach for it for my blueberries. It's good stuff. Yes, drop me a PM with your address, and I'll get some in the mail for you. The Blueberry Special is particularly good for getting manganese, iron, and magnesium into your plants.

Leo, our tap water is heavily chlorinated. We have a massive rain barrel and it's currently full but the rainy season is about over. When I have to go back to tap water with the heavy chlorine is there anything I can do to counteract that?

To the chloramine question, plants are not tropical fish. Generally chlorine, even in high for a water system amounts is not an issue. Similarly Chloramines are usually not an issue. If your potting media is porous, well aerated, neither compound is going to hang around very long. If you really are nervous about chloramine, as @penumbra said, chlorine removers for tropical fish are non-toxic to plants. Sodium thiosulfate is quite safe. As it decomposes it releases nitrogen and sulfates.

 

[Katie0317]

Your water is not that bad, but my Blueberry Special would work well. I do use it on everything, even though I mainly reach for it for my blueberries. It's good stuff. Yes, drop me a PM with your address, and I'll get some in the mail for you. The Blueberry Special is particularly good for getting manganese, iron, and magnesium into your plants.



To the chloramine question, plants are not tropical fish. Generally chlorine, even in high for a water system amounts is not an issue. Similarly Chloramines are usually not an issue. If your potting media is porous, well aerated, neither compound is going to hang around very long. If you really are nervous about chloramine, as @penumbra said, chlorine removers for tropical fish are non-toxic to plants. Sodium thiosulfate is quite safe. As it decomposes it releases nitrogen and sulfates.

Thank you Leo, that is very kind of you.

I see you're in Illinois so am not sure if you'd like cuttings from any tropical plants? I have several but will PM you.

Am glad to hear you say our water's not that bad. (it just tastes kind of crummy.) I hadn't really even though of the water having an impact on the plants ability to absorb the nutrients you mentioned so I'd like to try something to try and counteract it. Thank you.

For some reason I don't think of blueberries being grown in Illinois. Is that common or a something you've pursued?