🌳 Care Guide for Your Received Bayberry (Yangmei) Seedlings

Dear Valued Customer,

Congratulations on receiving your bayberry seedlings! To ensure their successful recovery and future growth, immediate and correct action is crucial. Please follow this guide carefully.

Step 1: Unboxing & Inspection [MOST IMPORTANT]

Record a Video: Please take an uninterrupted video of the unboxing process. This is essential for us to process any claims or arrange replacements if there is significant damage during transit.

Check Condition: Inspect the root moisture, stems for breakage, and leaf vitality. Please note: Slight wilting of leaves is normal after long-distance shipping and will be resolved by rehydration.

Step 2: Emergency Rehydration – "The Bath"

The seedlings will be dehydrated. This step is critical to revive them.

Prepare Water: Use a bucket or basin filled with room-temperature water. (If your tap water is heavily chlorinated, let it sit for a few hours first).

Soak the Roots: Submerge the entire root ball in the water. Soak for 30 minutes to 2 hours, until the root ball is fully saturated and heavy.

Mist the Leaves: Lightly mist the stems and leaves with water to help them absorb moisture.

Step 3: Immediate Planting

You must plant on the same day after rehydration.

Option A: Temporary Potting (Highly Recommended for Best Survival)

Purpose: If your final planting site isn't ready, this allows the seedling to recover in a controlled environment.

Method: Plant in a pot with loose, well-draining soil (e.g., a mix of potting soil and garden soil). Water thoroughly. Place the pot in a shaded, sheltered, and well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks (this is called "hardening off") before transplanting to its final location.

Option B: Direct Planting to Final Location

Site Selection: Choose a sunny location with excellent drainage.

Dig a Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball.

Fertilizer Warning: Do NOT use raw fertilizer or strong chemical fertilizer in the planting hole! This can easily "burn" and damage the delicate roots. You can mix a small amount of well-rotted compost with the native soil.

Planting: Place the seedling in the hole, backfill with soil, and gently firm it down to ensure good root-to-soil contact.

Build a Basin: Create a shallow soil berm (water basin) around the trunk to hold water when irrigation.

Step 4: Watering & Aftercare

Water Deeply: Immediately after planting, you MUST water thoroughly until water flows freely from the bottom of the hole/container. This "settling water" removes air pockets and helps the roots establish.

Provide Shade: For the first 1-2 weeks, provide shade (e.g., with a 50% shade cloth) if the weather is sunny and hot to reduce water stress.

Ongoing Watering: Follow the rule: "Water deeply, but infrequently." Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Avoid frequent, light watering, which causes shallow root growth and rot.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: The leaves are dry/fallen. Is the seedling dead?

A: Not necessarily! The key is to check if the stems are still green and flexible (scratch the bark slightly with your fingernail). If the stems are green, the plant is still alive. Follow the rehydration and care steps above, and it will likely sprout new leaves from its buds.

Q2: When can I fertilize?

A: Wait! Do not fertilize now. Fertilizing a stressed, newly planted seedling can kill it. Only apply a diluted, mild fertilizer after you see strong new growth (typically 4-8 weeks after planting).

Q3: What is the key to high survival rate?

A: The three critical steps: ① Rehydrate via soaking → ② Plant immediately → ③ Water deeply. Avoid direct strong sun and wind during the initial recovery period.

We wish you a successful planting journey! If you have any questions, please contact us with clear photos or your unboxing video. We are happy to provide remote technical support.