Planting and aftercare

Immediately upon receipt of your plants soak them in a bucket of water for fifteen minutes. Make a hole not much larger than the rootball. Do not incorporate peat or other soil 'improvers' because this can cause a barrier to water movement either by exaggerating drought in the summer on light soils or causing waterlogging in heavy soils during winter. The sooner the roots are growing into pure soil the better for the plant's stability and health.

Nitrogen increases top growth in Eucalypts, but not root growth, resulting in a reduced root/shoot ratio. Excessive Nitrogen can also encourage instability and reduce frost resistance. Phosphate enhances height growth, root collar diameter and root weight but does not alter the root/shoot ratio. Therefore the addition of phosphate in the form of bone meal in the planting hole or Superphosphate as a top dressing is most beneficial.

It is most important to completely eliminate any weed or grass competition at least 60cm (2ft) around the plant for the first two years to achieve good growth rates. Use a hoe in bare soil or tree mats. Be very careful if using contact or systemic herbicides as any spray drift can easily damage the young plants and the bark of older Eucalypts.

When you are ready to plant them remove the container, taking care not to damage the roots and plant with the root collar 2.5cm (1 inch) below the soil surface and firm. If dry thoroughly water again. Thereafter no further watering should be necessary (except in drought years) as long as competing weeds are checked.