On (04 Apr 98) Stuart Wright wrote to All...
 SW> Any mountain laurel experts out there? I've been told that they're
 SW> generally tough to grow, but no one will say why exactly. Any tips on
 SW> perking up a droopy laurel tree? The soil here in San Antonio isn't
 SW> the greatest (iron poor) and is normally tightly-packed clay. When I
 SW> planted it, I used ironite and root stimulator on the little guy, but
 SW> it doesn't seem to be growing much. One of its branches yellowed up
 SW> and died. No bugs or fungus on it that I can tell.
Stuart,
If you are talking of Texas Mountain Laurel (Mescal Bean),
sophora-secundiflora, the iron may well be a mistake. Makes the soil
too acid. They thrive on the caliche hills around Austin. In the past,
I started them quite easily by collecting those bright read seeds that
we used to call "burning beans," soaking them overnight in warm
water, then nicking the seed with a file before planting.
Remember, they are not fast growers, and being native plants, like a
lot of ignoring.
Kent,
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