Dormant

Dormant Evergreens? "But my plant is an evergreen; it doesn't drop its leaves so it's not going dormant." Au contraire, mon ami, the fact that it is an evergreen plant makes the dormant period even more crucial.

Light Requirements for Dormant Evergreens by Andy Walsh Introduction This article was originally a post to the Internet Bonsai Club Mail List. It has been edited slightly to make it more readable in this context.

Dormant buds are generally axillary buds that failed to open in the year following their formation. They can remain, barely visible, for several years until stimulated into growth by pruning, feeding or increased light levels.

Dormant - the period of the year when little or no growth occurs; usually late autumn and throughout the winter months.

Stage One: Dormant Buds. When the buds are dormant, the roots are also dormant. During this time the tree can be lifted from the ground or its current pot, bare rooted if necessary and repotted.

In late spring dormant buds set from the previous summer begin to swell and elongate. These new elongated areas are called candles. (Figures 2, 3). As the weeks go by the candles continue their elongation and also harden off new needles.

Trees that are dormant or sick should not be fed as they will not consume the same level of Nitrogen and levels in the soil can build up if care is not taken.

Also at the apex of dormant branches and near the base of new branches, there are a series of little ear-like structures that can grow buds if trimmed back to this point. They are, in fact, false leaves that protect the buds while they grow.

Deciduous trees can only be transplanted when dormant, usually in June or July (in Southern Hemisphere), while all evergreens and conifers can be moved very easily at any time of the year. When a tree is dormant, root pruning can be much more severe.

Most trees need a dormant season, so you may have to keep it in a cool garage during winter months but still provide water for it. Juniper, or just about any variety of pine tree makes a good evergreen variety.

WINTERING: Most trees (especially sub-tropical and hardy varieties) need to be dormant 2000+ hours to retain they're vigor. I recommend that you read up on your tree to learn it's specific wintering needs ...

Deciduous shrubs and woody perennials need a cold, dormant period in the winter, just as if they were growing outdoors.

Winter - Bonsai are in their dormant stage. They require less watering because of colder weather and rainy days, however if weather is warm, check your plants daily. No fertilizing or transplanting this time of year.

I know that it is supposed to "go dormant" during the winter. And I can kind of understand that but I don't really know how to let it do that, ...

The winter dormant period is essential to the general good health of a bonsai. In northern climates winter protection from freeze-drying winds is necessary. Trees should be kept in anunheated area.

Clip to shape at any time, however, large branches should be cut during the dormant season when sap is down to prevent bleeding. If you must cut a larger branch during the growing season, cut paste should be applied to the cut.

These are mostly deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs from cool temperate climates, which have a definite dormant season.

During the early winter dormant period, the tree's ability to heal any pruning wounds is greatly diminished. Pruning should be avoided to prevent excessive die back.

Ten percent of the world's active volcanoes-forty in the early 1990s (another 148 were dormant)-are found in Japan, which lies in a zone of extreme crustal instability.

Once dormant, they should be placed in a protected location and mulched up the rim of the pot. Take care where you store your azaleas in winter. Mice and rabbits find the soft bark of the azaleas particularly tasty.

The best time to repot a tree is at the end of the dormant season, just before the buds begins to swell. Even through there is no dormant season as such, the growth slows down in winter and surges again as the days lengthen in spring.

An unheated garage or other room can house your dormant bonsai during the worst of the weather if you feel that mulching will not suffice. Be sure that your trees do not get too warm, or they may think it is spring and start leafing out.

After two hard freezes the plants are completely dormant. However, based on my experience it is beneficial to start doing your evergreen cuttings earlier than that.

Even though your Bonsai tree will remain dormant during the winter period it's still vital not to let your Bonsai tree dry out, so regular watering is essential.

KINDS OF TREES, Theoretically any tree, shrub or vine that doesn't require a cold, dormant period to thrive is a possibility.

Some species may exhibit growth patterns regulated by changes in temperature, photoperiod, or water availability, and they will go dormant. The plants may drop their leaves as a signal. As dormancy approaches, gradually decrease the supply of water.

When the tree is in a dormant state it is unable to establish itself in the new soil and root diseases are likely. For this reason, bonsai must never be repotted in winter, except when kept in greenhouse culture. Growth Media ...

Deciduous - Trees that go dormant and loose their leaves with the onset of cold weather. Defoliation - Removing all of a tree's leaves to promote smaller leaf growth. Dormancy - Periods of slowed or suspended growth activity.

It is difficult to tell the age of a plant found in the wild and since they must be collected while dormant, it is also difficult to be sure that the specimen is healthy.

As such, your bonsai will require a dormant period each year. This is not such an issue for those who keep their trees outside in a bonsai garden; but for anyone who keeps their bonsai indoors, ...

They go dormant there by providing a wonderful winter silhouette as well as allowing time to prune and collect.

Lime sulfur is readily available in preparations intended for use as a dormant spray. It's a little more difficult to find the full-strength product, which can be had at many bonsai specialty stores. Deadwood Terms ...

They don't thrive below 50F (10C), though will lie dormant and healthy from 50-60F (10C-15C). During this period they will need very little water.

Therefore, the bonsai is still strong enough to leaf out again, but lacks the initial burst of spring energy to produce large leaves and when dormant buds are activated, smaller leaves result.

Generally, the trees should be repotted at a time when they are most dormant - such as late autumn to early spring, so that they are subjected to the least amount of stress possible.

How controlled: A dormant oil spray applied in winter is said to be effective. These insects can be gently scraped off with a thumb nail or sharp metal instrument.

But I go by the belief that even though the trees are in some what of a dormant state ...

will flourish if kept indoors; those of similar species to common houseplants like ficus and umbrella plant (schefflera) will thrive indoors, while those based on outdoor shrubs or trees (most confiers, maples, larch, etc) require a cold dormant ...

Fertilize your Bald Cypress tree once a week during the springtime, tapering off to once every two weeks during the late spring and fall (as dormancy approaches). Cease your fertilizing regimen as fall gives way to winter, so your tree can go dormant ...

to help the growth of your Bonsai plants, but it's best to use mild ones that only contain trace elements. Trees are usually fed during the growing season to help with their growth and shouldn't be used in either plants or trees during dormant growth ...

See also: Bonsai, Plant, Tree, Growing, Light