Question
I've had six of these plants in the ground for 3-4 months. I had amended the soil, used a starter fertilizer, made sure their root balls were slightly above ground level. They lost a few leaves in the first weeks (which I attributed to replant shock) and seemed to be budding. Then they just stopped growing after the first few weeks. They are alive and look reasonably healthy; a couple have leaves that have curled. They get plenty of water, but their growth is stunted. These were one-gallon plants, I think. A guy at the nursery said give them time to establish root systems...but the growth characteristics are said to be "fast to moderate".  I used a root feeder the other day to give them a shrub fertilizer, but nothing seems to be happening. I do not see any pests. Shouldn't they have shown at least a few inches in 3-4 months? (I can't get a sharp image to attach)

Answer
Jerry:
The plants that I am familiar with are not fast growers.  One thing that helps to get these and all container plants off to a good start is loosening the root ball before putting them in the ground. Sometimes plants get root bound- that is the root ball gets very dense and hard. This can slow them down a lot! Water the plant in good- literally flood the hole out after the plant goes in. This puts soil in good contact w/roots. Roots that grow out into an air pocket in the ground will stop. Then leave it alone for a week or so then good deep watering 1 or 2X /week. I usually don't use a fertilizer/root stimulator at planting. Most folks think you are wasting your $ on root stimulators.

There is my $0.02 worth.

Regards
Steve