Question From: E. Ingold - Redwood City, California, United States
Q: I planted a Forsythia shrub this last spring (about 2ft tall). Lately all of its leaves have brown dead tips on their edges. The plant is well watered but we have had very high daytime temps around 100* F. The plant has been fed twice. With fish emulsion at planting followed with ammonia sulfate about two months later.
A: The ammonia sulfate may have burned your plant. Shrubs should not be fertilized the year they are planted. They need time to establish their roots. You gave it a massive dose of nitrogen salts (the AS), stimulating growth the roots cannot support and burned the plant. When it's time, in very early spring fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as Espoma Plant Tone. Best Nancy
