Hailed again?

    What is the best course of action when your plants have been subjected to hail? Here are some tips from an article two years ago when Julesburg sustained damaging hail in town.
    There are many methods to heal what is wounded by storm damage; I would suggest the following:
    Herbaceous perennials that had prolific flower stalks: Prune those back to good growth if there are any good leaves left on the stalks. If there are basal leaves or a rosette at the base of the plant, prune the stalks to just above the basal leaves or rosette. If the rosette or basal leaves are damaged, give a light fertilization. This will give plant further energy for growing new leaves.
    Annuals: You may just have to call it quits, especially if nothing grows back in a week. But give them a week before pruning. Then examine them to see if there is anything left to grow and fertilize. Sometimes with petunias, snapdragons and violas, you may find that they get severely damaged, yet there is still a mass of leaves to grow again and flower. With the petunias, pruning will be helpful. Other annuals such as zinnias can be pruned. There is still enough time in the season. I am recommending to lightly fertilize annuals once a week.
    On that note, too much nitrogen in the soil increases the mineral salt content. Excessive salt can dehydrate the plant. The symptoms would be burning or yellowing of the leaf margins. The best thing to do is to water and wash the excess nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen moves quickly through the soil. Excess nitrogen will slow root development.
    Biennials: Enjoy what is left because if they are flowering this will be the last year you will see them. You will need to start over next season.
    Shrubs: Prune out what is damaged and during the very hot days of summer give them a deep root watering. The timing for pruning won’t be perfect for some shrubs and you may lose next year’s flower buds.
    Trees: Prune out what is damaged and during hot dry periods such as an extended drought, give them an extra deep root watering, but do not fertilize them. It makes sense to remove the branches that are hanging first and make nice clean cuts. Then examine the tree for any other severe hail damage and prune properly. Even if your tree looks very thin, give the tree time, it will grow new leaves.
    Fruit trees: Remove the damaged fruit. The damaged fruit will attract pests. Again, look to see if there are any hanging branches and other severely damaged hail wounds on limbs that might not heal quickly. Open wounds are an easy entry for pests and diseases for trees and shrubs.

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