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Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > OT. Franklinia Alatamaha
 
 


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swizzle

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I am going to be planting a Franklinia Alatamaha bush on Wednesday. I was just wondering if any of the members here are growing these plants and if there is any special needs of this plant?
Ampersand

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Acidic soil for sure. They are pretty disease prone and touchy, I personally wouldn't try despite it's cool history. I would suggest x Gordlinia (hybrid btw Franklinia and Gordonia) or Stewartia instead.
Charley

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I once planted two fairly large ones and croaked them.

Be very careful about fertlizing them.  I believe it was the watering with some weak Miracle Grow that killed them.  At the time I had no clue as to why they died.  It was only several years later that I found the information.  Somewhat unusual tree with a good blooming time.  Just very sensitive to growing conditions. 

I ended up replacing with some magnolias and have had no problems with them. 
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PhilaGardener

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
They like a little protection from the wind in the winter, and the branches tend to break in snow and ice.  Encourage multiple leaders - I think the shrub habit is better than trying to train to a single trunk for that reason.  Other than that, I've had success in acidic soil (no fertilizer).  Neat plant, blooming now.  Good luck!
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Philadelphia Gardener Near Philly, but winters still feeling like Zone 6!
MGorski

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Interesting rare tree, related to Camellia and can be made into tea. Good luck with your tree, I hope to grow it some day too.

Mike in Hanover, VA
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Zone-7, previously Mescalito
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