Fertility in the Japanese Garden

1. Fertility in the Japanese Garden by Jacob Deaver http://paulwinger.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v60/p1090273278-3.jpg

2. Background • Designed 1985 • Landscape architect Koichi Kawana • 24 varieties of shrubs • 20 varieties of trees • 3 ground covers • Waterfall, Japanese Lanterns, Garden House, etc. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/UserFiles/Image/Japanese1.jpg

3. Problem & Possible Causes • Austrian pines • Chlorotic • Iron deficiency • Relatively high soil pH • Lab tests show soil pH of 6.4-6.9 • Results likely skewed by mulch • Ideal pH 4.0-7.0 according to Bartlett • Soil compaction • Samples sent to UMN for testing http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B1_re_jv9sw/TqXLErBCfoI/AAAAAAAAQmA/pbmfvwb7IBE/s320/pine.jpg

4. Research • Foliar feeding? • Short-term, “quick fix” solution • Potential negative impact on water quality • “Sprint” used by Dan Miller on Korean pines • Chelated Iron supplement? • Suggested by Carl Rosen at UMN • Professor & Department Head - Soil, Water, & Climate • Not permanent but provides big nutrient boost • Lower soil pH? • Amend soil with sulfur or iron sulfate • Makes iron more accessible to plants • Long-term solution

5. Recommendations • Short term: • -Use chelated iron in soil around pines to give nutrient boost • Gempler’s Chelated Iron Supplement • Avoid foliar sprays • Generally considered ineffective for nutrient deficiencies • Potential negative impact on koi pond from drift • Long term: • -Amend soil with sulfur or iron sulfate • lower pH and make iron in soil more accessible to plants • Address soil compaction

6. Resources • Expertise • Jewel Engstrom & Mary Bigelow • Dan Miller • Carl Rosen • Sadafumi Uchiyama • Mary Meyer • Other resources • http://www.bartlett.com/resources/Plant-Health-Care-Recommendations-for-Austrian-Pine.pdf http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu/vtgcrec/pages/BOK%20TOWER%20SANCTUARY/BOK%20TOWER-BC-3-19-03/Bok-BC-Japanese%20lantern.JPG