Chinese snowball viburnum are striking shrubs that look great in any garden.The large white blooms of the snowball trees emerge in the spring.If you want to grow a snowball in your garden, you can grow it from a branch.When your shrub blooms, trim it occasionally to keep your snowball tree healthy and happy.
Step 1: Pick the right spot to plant the tree.
Plants that can survive most climates are snowball trees.If you live in a hot climate, you should choose a shaded spot in your garden.Snowball trees grow best in acidic soil.The snowball trees can grow up to 20 feet tall.You should plan your garden so that your tree doesn't get in the way of other plants.A snowball tree can be purchased at a local gardening store or online.
Step 2: The spot has grass and weeds.
Before planting your tree, remove any weeds, rock or debris from the area.The tree can grow without interference if the environment is hospitable.The competition for water in the soil is eliminated by the removal of weeds.
Step 3: Put a small hole in the bulb.
A small hole about three times the diameter is enough to hold the root ball.To dig the hole, use your hands or a shovel.You may find rocks or stones while digging.
Step 4: There is a bulb in the hole.
Take the snowball out of the container.To remove the visible roots of the bulb from the sides, use your fingers to loosen them.The bulb should be lowered into the hole.The point where the trunk meets the roots should be 1 12 to 2 inches above the ground.
Step 5: Put soil in the hole.
You can backfill the hole by taking the soil you discarded when you were digging.To protect the bulb from the elements, Pat the soil around it to eliminate any space between it and the earth.
Step 6: Spread some mulch around the tree.
It can be shocking for a tree to betransplanted, and the tree will need more resources to thrive in its new location.Spread a layer of mulch over the planting area.The mulch helps to keep the soil moist and discourage weed growth.
Step 7: Find the parent tree's branches.
New plants can be grown from the stems of a fully grown snowball tree.If a branch has reached the ideal stage, bend it.The branch should break into two pieces if it bends.If the branch doesn't break, it's too immature to develop into a new tree.Take the leaves from the parent tree.
Step 8: The branch must be cut 6 inches from its end.
Use a pair of shears to cut the branch.Make sure the branch has at least two sets of leaves.The shoots need to be well hydrated before the sun comes up.If you only want to end up with one snowball tree, make several.It's better to use two or three cuttings than just one because they don't have a 100% success rate.
Step 9: The blossoms and leaves should be removed.
Use your fingers or a small pair of clippers to cut the blossoms from the tree's stem.The leaves should be removed from the lower half of the branch.When you plant the cutting, the roots will eventually grow in this area.
Step 10: The branch must be dipped into rooting hormone powder.
The hormone powder will make the cutting bloom into a plant.Put the powder in a small bowl and dip the branch into it to make sure it covers the leaves.
Step 11: Prepare a flat for a seedling.
Purchase a flat that has drainage holes in the bottom.The flat should be filled with a mix of sand, perlite, and sphagnum peat.
Step 12: The flat is where the cuttings will be planted.
A hole that is about 2 inches deep can be made with your finger.Attach a cutting into the hole you made to make sure the end of the branch is in the soil.Press the soil around the trimming to make it stand upright in the container.To make the soil moist, water the mixture.
Step 13: A plastic bag is used to cover the cuttings.
To keep the bag from touching the top of the cuttings, tent the tray with a large plastic bag.The plastic bag will keep water out of the plants when they start to take root.If you have trouble keeping the plastic bag from touching the tops of the cuttings, you can put the bag on top of straws.Water the soil when it is dry and check the tray every now and then.
Step 14: The plastic bag needs to be removed when the roots start to grow.
The roots should start to grow after about four to six weeks.If you want to check for roots, you can remove the soil from the base of the plant or tug on it to see if there is resistance.To keep the soil moist, remove the plastic bag and water when you notice roots.
Step 15: You can transplant the plants into pots.
After a week, remove the plastic bag and transplant the cuttings into small pots filled with soil.Make sure not to break any of the roots by gently lifting the plants from the tray.Place the plants into a small hole in the soil and press it around the base of the cuttings.To keep the soil moist, water evenly.If more than one cutting took root, transplant them into pots.After you transplant the snowball trees into the pots, you can put them in the garden.Before moving into a garden, make sure not to forget the potting step.
Step 16: Four weeks after planting, use slow-acting fertilizer.
Sprinkle a slow-acting fertilization around the snowball tree a month after you put it in the ground.It takes a long period of time to keep your plant healthy.
Step 17: The dead or damaged branches should be removed.
During the bloom season, which lasts from March to July, cut off dead blooms.The branches will be bushier if the dead growths are trimmed.To cut off the damaged section, use a sharp pair of gardening shears.
Step 18: There are suckers close to the tree.
The snowball tree's suckers look like thick branches on the ground.The tree's resources are divided between the main part of the tree and the suckers.Pruning shears can be used to cut the sucker close to the tree.The tree is much healthier if suckers are removed.
Step 19: Water when the soil is wet.
It's a good idea to check on your plant every week.If your area has had little or no rain, water your snowball tree.It's important when your tree is young and delicate.Water at the base of the plant instead of over the top.Water is absorbed by the roots by watering at the base.
Step 20: Common pests should be kept an eye out.
The snowball tree can fall prey to insects or rodents.The pests you should watch for are tiny, sucking insects.You can treat your trees with soap.If you are using concentrated soap, it is a good idea to change the amount of soap you use to mild and severe.The weevils look like white grubs with brown heads.If you want to get rid of these pests, you should use insecticidal soap on the foliage two to three times a week.When the weevils are gone, repeat every three weeks.There are rows of tiny caps on the underside of leaves.Prune leaves and twigs.In the early spring, spray the plant with pesticides.
Step 21: Treat diseases and problems.
There are two diseases that affect snowball trees.There is a disease called verticillium wilts that affects the water flow.Canker is a disease that kills the wood and leaves dead and discolored spots on the limbs.You can treat verticillium wilts by sterilizing your tools and trimming the affected limbs.If you want to canker, you have to remove the bark until you reach green wood.