Watch out for plant stress
Follow our guide to keeping plants happy
It always seems that hedges have gone mad with new growth again just five minutes after you last trimmed them! It pays to keep on top of your hedges a few times each summer, to prevent the job becoming a massive chore.
How often should I do it? Little and often is the order of the day, and then you can pay more attention in winter and spring to a more considered chop.
Which tools are best? Shears will take an age on large hedges, so invest in an electric trimmer to make life easier. Bear in mind these will give a somewhat ‘hacked’ look to the foliage for a while.
Plant stress can be caused by lots of factors. In most summers we experience periods of drought, when the soil doesn’t hold enough moisture to maintain plant growth. Even after rain, the soil can be dry just a few centimetres down. l
This is honeydew excreted by aphids, often colonised by sooty mould. Don’t panic: wait for the hoverflies to move in! l
Slugs or snails are common culprits. Semi-circular holes on leaf edges are the work of leafcutter bees; jagged bite marks are likely to be caused by vine weevils (see p31).
Established plants can usually withstand a bit of drought, but new plants or shallow-rooted ones often need additional watering to get them looking perky again.
It’s not just lack of rain that can pose a problem. Here are a few stress symptoms to look for .... l
Curling or browning leaves:
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You are in good hands at your STIHL Approved Dealer. They can advise you on choosing the ideal machine for your particular requirements with a range of tools covering professional use through to smaller jobs around the garden.
The STIHL dealer will also give you useful and practical tips on maintenance and ensuring long product life. In addition, after the initial purchase your dealer is on hand to service the tool to ensure that your machine continues to operate effectively for many years.
If ever anything does go wrong with your machine, STIHL servicing dealers will supply original STIHL spare parts to help maximise the performance, safety and life of your STIHL power tool.
Why buy from a STIHL Approved Dealer?
Reason 1. They are outdoor power equipment specialists
Reason 2. They stock a wide range of products to suit your needs
Reason 3. They provide starting and operating advice
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Reason 6. They stock a full range of protective clothing and accessories.
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