The problem page

Here are some of the problems that might occur while you are growing trees. If you can't find a solution to your tree-related problem(s) here, please contact us and we'll do our best to find one for you.

Choose one of the following problems

My seeds didn't germinate

Okay, this could be quite complicated. There are three reasons why your seeds may not have germinated.

  1. Your seeds have not received enough pre-treatment - they are still dormant. Check this table to see if you pre-treated your seeds for long enough.
  2. After you had sown your seeds, they were exposed to high temperatures (over 25 degrees celsius). This can reinstate dormancy or even kill the seeds. Keep seedbeds and pots cool and moist, especially in the first weeks after sowing. If you are patient, they may germinate next year after another period of cold (winter).
  3. The seeds you collected were either under-developed, empty or infected by fungus or parasites. Unfortunately there is little that you can do to correct this and you may need to start again. Check to ensure that your freshly-collected seeds are not empty by floating in water. Wait until seed is fully ripe before collecting.

My seeds germinated, but died shortly afterwards

The most common cause of this is known as 'damping-off'. This is caused by fungi that attacks the stem and roots of a plant at the surface of the soil/compost. This is most common when growing under cover. Take care not to over-water and ensure adequate ventilation. Sow seed thinly enough that the young plants are not over-crowded.

The leaves are yellow

Another difficult one to diagnose. More than likely, this is a symptom of a shortage of nutrition. There are three element essential to plants - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). Nitrogen powers the 'green' growth of plants, causing them to become taller, wider, stronger. Phosphorus is needed for root production and potassium for flowering and fruiting. Young trees require a balance of these three elements and small amounts of other 'trace elements'. Feed your plants with a balanced horticultural fertilizer (either liquid or granular) every four to six weeks, from after germination until the end of summer. Do not over-feed.

The leaves are coated in a whitish powdery coating

Most likely powdery mildew. Poor ventilation or over-crowding are two common causes, but hawthorn, oak and crab apple are particularly affected. Maintain good hygiene to reduce the risk - don't touch your plants when they are wet and don't water the foliage too late in the day. Both these measures can help prevent infection. If mildew does appear, treat quickly with a fungicide, preferably organic.