Mulch could be hindering young mahonia

Q: Several years back, you helped me identify some mahonia that were growing in Flagstaff, Arizona, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. We now live in Gallup at an elevation of 6,740 feet, so the “fit” should be great. We like these plants because they are colorful throughout the year in our garden. Portions of a few leaves appear half dead on two of the plants. Is that anything to be worried about? — A.E., Gallup

A: It looks like most of the damaged leaves are worn on older growth of the mahonia.

I’m a wee bit concerned about the way these creatures are watered. In the photos, I see part of a watering system that looks like it sprays water when it’s turned on. I wonder — if that’s how it works — what time of day the system is turned on. Very early in the morning or well after the heat of the day has passed is OK. But if the plants were/are being sprayed during the heat of the day, then some of the leaves could be suffering from sunburn. That could be part of the trouble.

You also have the plants mulched thoroughly and I’m wondering if that mulch is too thick, not allowing enough water to get to ground level. If so, the plant roots aren’t receiving enough water to support the plant efficiently. I’ll suggest that you scooch the mulch surrounding the mahonia back. Test the soil, making sure that when the system is employed, the ground is getting a much needed soak. That will keep the roots able to support the above ground growth.

You could, for tidiness, go ahead and snip off the dead part of the leaves, making sure to not cut into any still alive leaves, just to make things look better.

Seeing as these plants are relatively new, a good dose of root stimulator could help the plants. Part of the trouble could be wind, but as the garden matures that could be self-fixing so to speak.

With the terrifically warm temperatures we’re getting to deal with, it’ll be most important that you get out there and figure out just what works better for your mahonia plants.

Please be sure to scooch the mulch back to make sure the water you’re offering is getting to where it needs to be, and water early or later in the day. Hope this helps.

Q: I want to plant a lot of portulaca by seed, but the seed is so small. Do you have any suggestions on how I can make sure the seed is evenly dispersed? — C.S., Albuquerque

A: I’ll suggest that you get a small plastic dish, a used butter tub should work great, and put two or three tablespoons of clean sand in it, then add a packet or two of portulaca seed to the container and give it a good shake.

When you get ready to plant, dampen the soil in the area and give the space a bit of a “rough up” by lightly raking to loosen the top most layer of the soil.

Next, sprinkle your seed/sand mixture over the area and then tamp it down. You can either walk gently over the space or use the rake flipped over to do that tamping. You want to aim to push the seed into the soil without burying it.

Then offer a gentle spraying of water to help “cement” the seed in place. Remember to keep the space dampened so the seed can germinate and take hold.

The seed/sand method works great with wee, tiny seeds of all sorts. It’s an easy way to disperse tiny seeds, making sure you’re getting it exactly where you want the seed to be.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.