Q:I relocated to the Midwest and want to plant Brandon arborvitae to provide us with some privacy. Prices for the plants are all over the map, ranging from $70 to $240 a tree. I did speak with a local nursery that is on the low end of pricing, but nurseries do not grow the arborvitae locally. The plants are brought in from a nursery in Oregon. A local landscaper who will be helping plant the arborvitae is concerned that the plants were grown in one region and now are being planted in another. He is telling me that I could lose half of the plants during the first winter. Now understandably, he also is attempting to sell me Brandon arborvitae, but at a much higher price. From the research and information I have gathered, I believe Brandon to be a very hearty, winter burn-resistant arborvitae. What is your recommendation or experience with arborvitae that have been raised in Oregon or the Pacific Northwest and then relocated to the Midwest? (e-mail reference)
A: A major part of the nursery stock sold in America comes from Pacific Northwest nurseries and settles in quite well in varying landscapes. Generally, these nurseries are wholesale nurseries. They require that the purchaser be a licensed nursery stock handler and that the plants be purchased in larger quantities to obtain the prices that look tempting to you. Any nursery that would retail from Oregon or Washington to a homeowner in Chicago would be open to suspicion to me. I would advise you to go for smaller stock plants because they will establish very quickly and save you money as well. Smaller plants equal less loss of roots during transplanting and quicker establishment and growth. Insist on a guarantee of the stock the landscaper installs. Ask for a couple of references for the Brandon arborvitae that he has planted in your area. If, for any reason, you doubt the integrity of this landscaper, don't do business with him. There are plenty of reputable firms out there that you can do business with. The biggest problem with importing from out of state is that you end up accepting what is shipped to you - with little control over the handling of the stock. In transport, they could be subjected to wind or heat desiccation that would not be apparent at the time of planting, but resulting in the gradual death of the plants in several months or years.
Q: I planted a grapefruit seed five years ago in a planter inside my home. I feed it once a month and water it about every two weeks, but it never flowers. The one I had before produced at least one small grapefruit each year. The plant has a southern exposure. I never take it outside during the summer because the bugs will eat it. Can I do anything to encourage the plant to produce fruit or is this one just a dud? (e-mail reference)
A: This is probably a combination of being a dud and you being too good to it. Mild stress will tend to get a plant into the reproductive cycle. I would suggest that you place it outdoors during the summer and provide the necessary protection from ravaging insects.
