Sophora Prostrata 'Little Baby' Planting Instructions

Sophora prostrata 'Little Baby' is a small semi evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. It features zigzagging growth, small leaves, and yellow-orange barbed flowers in the spring. Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 foot wide in USDA zones 8 to 11. It is hardy to mild frost, but should be grown in a container in colder areas. Ideal for a greenhouse or cool conservatory in the winter and moved outside in warmer months. 

These plants have been grown under 40% - 70% humidity during the Fall and Winter with full sun. 40%- 70% humidity and 40% shade during the Late Spring and Summer.  Growing temperatures have varied from 38 degrees to 85 degrees. A Temp of 55-75 degrees is ideal for active growing. A temperature that varies 10 to 20 degrees is better than a constant temperature.  Best to wait and transplant after your plant has acclimated to your conditions for 3-4 weeks.

                            Sophora prostrata Little Baby Planting and Care Instructions

Sophora prostrata Little Baby plants are very intolerant to excessive water year-round and especially while they are dormant in cool winter months and stored in cool temps (while they are not actively growing). They can be killed easily if watered too often. In temperatures of 38 to 50 degrees, we water only once every 2 - 3 weeks during the Winter. In warmer temps, care must be taken to not let plants dry out, or be oversaturated with water.

During the warmer summer months, while the plant is actively growing, plants need to be kept slightly moist, and in afternoon shade. Avoid areas of excessive trapped heat. Do not over water. Excessive watering will kill your plants! In temperatures of 70 – 80 degrees, we water once every 2 - 3 days during the summer depending on heat and wind conditions. When we water, an 1/8th to ¼ inch is max.  If you over water several times in a row or watered daily, root rot will happen and kill your plant.  Also, do not let the plant totally dry out. 

Will grow outside in USDA zones 8 through 11.  Can be grown as a house plant, if indoor humidity is 30 - 50%, and light is bright enough. If growing inside a building, a North facing window is approximately 75% shade and most well-lit interior rooms are 80% shade.  This is not enough light. Furnaces and wood stove tend to drop humidity to 10% or less, which is too dry.

IF PLANTING IN A CONTAINER OR RAISED BED:

Don't Kill your Plants with the Wrong Potting Soil or Fertilizer!

Avoid potting mixes that are too heavy on compost and peat moss (10% each is ideal). Pumice, perlite, lava, or coarse/medium bark will be the majority of the potting mix. These plants need very good drainage. We recommend our Sophora potting mix on our website.

Do not use Big Box or Chain Store potting mixes meant for vegetables, annual flowers, or house plants, or you will kill your plants with root rot. Even the name brand potting mixes advertised on TV will kill your plants, they are not designed for any plant, shrub or tree that is not an annual. Do not use any potting mixes that use water gel or Turface moisture control.

Fertilizer needs to be low salt. Chemical fertilizers should say on the label "for container growing". Do not use 10/10/10 or 16/16/16 and similar fertilizers as they are high salt and will burn your plants. Organic fertilizers like fish, alfalfa, bat guano, kelp, bone meal, and rock phosphate are okay, just keep the nutrients balanced, and watch the nutrient level so you do not add too much or too little. Do not use "hot organics" like blood meal or fresh chicken manure under 1 year aged. These plants need only light or moderate fertilizer. Do not over fertilize!

 

  • Can be kept in original pots for 3 to 6 months or planted in a well-draining soil mix after acclimating to your area for 3 – 4 weeks. The potting mix should contain:
    • 20% 3/8" - 1/32" pumice
    • 40% medium/course fir bark
    • 20% perlite
    • 20% peat moss or compost
    • DO NOT USE WATER GEL or Turface.
    • If you cannot find these soil components locally, we sell potting mix for sophora on our online store.
  • In the growing season keep the plant slightly moist but not saturated.
  • While the plant is dormant, water it very little. If plants are in areas under 50 degrees F, consider them dormant even if they have leaves.
  • Use fertilizer designed for container growing if the plant is in a container.
  • Do not over fertilize. We use a water release 7-month time release fertilizer (Apex) at a low  application rate.
  • Full early morning sun or filtered light is okay, but keep out of full afternoon sun until the plant is several years old. As the plant grows it can be moved to areas of fuller sun. Avoid areas of trapped heat on the South or West side of buildings.
  • If too little light, too much water, or low fertility leaves will turn yellow.
  • Young plants with too much sun or hot trapped heat in Summer - leaves can dry out and die off in sections.

 © Scenic Hill Farm Nursery, 2020

Scenic Hill Farm  Nursery, 2820 NW Scenic Drive Albany, Oregon 97321

541-990-6099  scenichillfarmnursery.com