Balcony-Grove, again

[Dendrias]

Hey there.

The other day, I wrote to You about my trees on the balcony. Some have dressed properly, some haven't, and I have some questions I hope You can help me with. Want some impressions (my pride!)?

You can see: 2 acorns on the right, then 1 oak, 2 hazels with another acorn in their middle.

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Another acorn, but that's a bought one.

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Some years ago, I tried to raise apples from seeds. They were eaten from below before the fourth leaf. Here are promising guys! I use the plural, because there is one still hidden, but above the surface at the back. He's still shy!
There's a hornbeam (I think), as well, but that's fine by itself.

[Dendrias]

Have You noticed the hazels? Here's a close up:

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Both have been like this for at least a month. They show buds, but no leaves appear. They just don't move, despite all the hazel in hedges I detected weeks ago. I'm a bit jealous, and of course concerned. Have You got some ideas?

Now, in the big acorn, which we have tendered for, say, five years, there is a close mossy cover (and some ants living within). I wanted to donate it a bigger pot, but I'm unsure whether to "transplant" the moss, or not. Do You think, it could do harm to the tree by suffocating it, stealing water or nutritions? Or would it be so beneficial, that I should place the moss into the other pots, as well?
Have You got experience with moss?

[Aylyn]

In terms of your hazels, I would not worry too much. Trees in pots tend to grow at a different rate from trees growing natural, because they are confined in their roots, and they might not have access to enough nutrients. it may also be that your balcony is in a shady spot, and they feel the cold more than their counterparts outside. They will come when they feel like it. I just had a look at my trees in the garden (also in pots), and they have just started breaking their buds, despite the fact that others are already full out. Just trust them....

In terms of moss on the pot: It looks nice and does not take away much in nutrients and water from the tree. Most moss does not have deep roots and will not compete with the tree. You can therefore leave it where it is. When you replant the tree, and want to transplant the moss cover, take it up from the soil before you replant, and out it somehwre dark and moist. then, when the tree has been replanted, put it back on the soil and fix it with wire. keeping it damp (maybe covered by a plastic bag) for a few days afterwards ensures that the moss grows back.

In Bonsai, it is often done this way, as the moss cover makes the bonsai look nicer and avoids loss of water, so there is no problem.

http://knowledgeofbonsai.org/articles/misc/moss-basics/

[Dendrias]

Thanks, Aylyn. Now I'm relieved and promise to be patient with the hazels.
We've got load of moss on the balcony. It even grows on my back when watering the herbs! I'll take some as cover.

Have a nice evening.

[Dendrias]

Most of the trees have come out by now. Saddly enoug, three have died - one hazel and two acorns. I think there have been worms in the earth eating away the roots.

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BTW: The small thing at the front to the left is a very tiny oak with only three leaves. It's not growing any further.

The apples I've showed You, have been growing like nothing else - unfortunately they caught mildew. Perhaps I have to put them into seperate pots soon.

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