Would you buy Younger plants or Older Plants/trees? (forum)

moadeep starts with ...
I'm looking more advice for the new gardeners out there - me being one of them!

When purchasing a tree from a nursery which is better:
Newer younger plants

OR

Older, heaver more established plants/tree's.

I would have figured an older established tree would be easier to transplant into a garden from nursery but apparently that isn't so.

What are the pro and con's of buying younger plants and Older tree's?

And do you care for them differently when transplanted?

Any advice on this matter (especially taking care of transplanted older plants/trees) would be appreciated.

Time: 9th December 2009 6:54pm

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Jimmy says...
I'm a younger tree person, less root bounded and have the best years ahead of them. Small trees transplant more easily ie weight wise and better as in staying alive wise.

Time: 9th December 2009 7:01pm

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moadeep says...
How much harder would it be to keep an older tree alive? We talking gardening specialist levels of knowledge or could a noobie like me do it too?

What's the extra care thats required? Any one got any in depth advice on transplanting older tree's successfully?

Time: 9th December 2009 7:07pm

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Mish says...
Hi Moadeep
What size container is the plant in?
I am a beginner at the whole fruit tree garden, but being an impatient person, I have both mature and young trees...
With the mature trees, it takes more time to prepare their new beds and to get them ready for the move. As mentioned, some older trees may be root bound in their containers so root preparation is important. I found this link very useful...
http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s972610.htm
There is other great info on this site, just type your search criteria in and happy reading.
I have just planted out a 1.5 mtr high 2 yo black currant and I followed the advice on the link, and prepared the planting area a week or so ahead of time using a manure mix, with wetting agents, also, left the plant in its new location for a week or so before planting so it can get used to the amount of sun it will have in this area and soaking the whole plant in seasol for a few hours before planting. This soaking helps to free the roots and to reduce stress on the plant.
Previously I have planted out some Pinkerbelle apple trees about 1.5 mtr high about 3 weeks ago and they have new flowers on them now.
If nothing seems to be happening (after some time) with your older trees don't despair because I have read that if they have had some root trauma it may take them several months to recover... just take good care of them with some good quality food, but not nitrogen based food as this stimulates new growth and may add extra stress to your stressed out plant.
Young plants are more forgiving and easier to handle and plant, but mature ones add instant beautiful greenery to your garden.

Have you thought about Dwarf varieties? As these don't grow as big as their true size friends, they will start fruiting within half the time...

Time: 11th December 2009 11:54pm

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Gus says...
If you have specific prunning requirments then a younger tree maybe helpful.

Otherwise, it's not much of an issue for me.

Time: 13th December 2009 12:53pm

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Itdepends says...
Personally younger trees are better value for money and will establish quickly. An advanced fruit tree might be $100-$200 compared to $30 for a younger specimen- and after 3-5 years there would be no difference between them (except for some slower growing species)

Time: 13th December 2009 1:39pm

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Jason says...
Ive done both, smaller trees for around $25 and larger ones for around $120.

My personal taste is that as long as they are healthy looking plants, nice shape etc I prefer a larger.

Even if its only a year ahead of a small one, for me that extra $100 is worth it. (Impatient man :)

Should add, Ive around 10 fruit/citrus trees and only 2 of them were advanced but both great finds, and amongst my favourites. Growing nicely. Plum x peach and a Nectarine.



Time: 13th December 2009 3:06pm

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