May 2024 - 64

CULTURE REPORT
The recommendations that follow are best practices for
successfully growing Garden Gems cercis from bare root.
Bare root are available for the spring 2025 season.
RECEIVING BARE ROOT TREES
For Star Roses and Plants, the harvest and grading
of bare root trees like Garden Gems cercis begins in
early December and is usually finished by early January.
Growers receive bare root tree shipments starting in
January if located in a mild climate or as late as early
March if located in regions like the Upper Midwest or
Northeast U.S. The extended period of time between first
harvest date and last shipping date necessitates a plan
for proper storage of dormant plants.
Bare root cercis plants should be stored in a
refrigeration unit with good ventilation. Upon receipt of
dormant bare root plants, make sure to water the roots
and store between 35º F to 40º F. To prevent drying
down of roots during storage, keep them consistently
moist with additional waterings when needed. Soak roots
immediately prior to planting, making sure not to soak
for more than four hours.
GROWING MEDIA
Container media should have 50% to 70% total
porosity and should average 10% to 20% air-filled
porosity. The desired pH for growing media is 5.8-6.8.
Prior to planting, prune back any broken branches. It
is extremely important to keep bare root plants from
drying out through the entire planting operation. During
planting and spacing, be sure that the trees do not go
an extended period without water and that they are not
exposed to temperatures below 22° F. Firming the soil
around the roots during potting helps to mitigate air
pockets that cause drying.
TRANSPLANTING BARE ROOT TREES
Select a container size appropriate for the size of the
bare root plant being received. Garden Gems cercis do
best in 3-, 5- and 7-gallon containers. Root pruning is
not recommended unless the roots are too big for the
container, in which case, trim only the minimum and curl
the rest of the roots carefully into the pot. For cercis, it
is critical to plant bare root inputs at a depth of 2 inches
from the graft point to the top of the soil level. Be sure
that the root collar is planted just below the soil level.
Planting too deep can result in the tree struggling to
break dormancy, stunted looking new growth or death of
the plant. If staking, do so at the time of potting.
TOPPING AND TRIMMING BARE ROOT TREES
Make sure to top and trim the trees within two weeks of
potting. Cut the leader at a 45-degree angle to a height
appropriate for the container. For flowering trees, it's
recommended to top a 3- or 5-gallon at 38-42 inches and a
7-gallon at 45-48 inches. Trim lateral branches back to 3-4
inches. Three-gallon containers planted in March will finish
by June. For larger containers, grow on and overwinter.
Plants will be saleable the following season.
Kristen Pullen is the woody ornamental portfolio manager
at Star Roses and Plants. For more information about the
Garden Gems Cercis Collection and other woody varieties, visit
starrosesandplants.com.
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May 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2024
