In this picture there are two California Pepper trees (schinus molle) that we planted two years ago in the Flying Rabbit Island in the SJC backyard. As you can see (click on the photo to enlarge) the one on the left is growing like gangbusters and the one on the right is slowly creeping along. There is a third three out of the photo to the far right that is somewhere in between the size of these two. What makes them grow at such different rates? They were all the same size when we planted them. Maybe water patterns (they are all on the same underground automatic watering system) that are altered by other plants or water pressure? Maybe sun exposure? I doubt it because they all get about the same amount of daylight. Fertilizer? That is also pretty consistent. Must just be their individual personalities.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Growing at Different Rates
In this picture there are two California Pepper trees (schinus molle) that we planted two years ago in the Flying Rabbit Island in the SJC backyard. As you can see (click on the photo to enlarge) the one on the left is growing like gangbusters and the one on the right is slowly creeping along. There is a third three out of the photo to the far right that is somewhere in between the size of these two. What makes them grow at such different rates? They were all the same size when we planted them. Maybe water patterns (they are all on the same underground automatic watering system) that are altered by other plants or water pressure? Maybe sun exposure? I doubt it because they all get about the same amount of daylight. Fertilizer? That is also pretty consistent. Must just be their individual personalities.
It's an interesting question. This happens with me all the time. I buy 2 or 3 plants, they look the same, they grow in the same conditions, but they are absolutely different. Plants are like people, I think.
ReplyDeleteSheila this is an oddity that happens to me as well .. who knows what is going on but I think the most logical answer is the individual "take" of each plant etc .. something in the "genes" unique to the plant .. good grief ! LOL
ReplyDeleteJoy : )